pSeries Lotus Domino Server e-business Solution Overview
Domino™, a server-based product from Lotus® Corporation of IBM®, is positioned in the e-business™
marketplace as a messaging/groupware system with dynamic application serving. Domino's integrated
application services, such as security, workflow and content management, optimize the platform for rapid
delivery of Web applications, along with built-in connection services that provide live access to relational
databases, transaction systems and ERP applications. By using Internet standards, Domino avails itself
to browser clients and Internet protocols, as opposed to proprietary clients and protocols.
The Domino R5 family of servers delivers messaging, applications, and online collaboration fast and
reliably for organizations from small businesses to the largest enterprises. Domino R5 helps reduce costs
by making the server easier to administer and the desktop easier to manage.
First and foremost, Lotus Domino is a messaging system. It contains E-mail creation and delivery
capabilities along with directories of people and objects with multiple levels of security from encryption to
ACLs. Domino offers the industry's most comprehensive support for Internet messaging standards, with
Internet addressing, SMTP routing and MIME content support, plus full support for E/SMTP, S/MIME,
SSL, POP3, IMAP4, LDAP, HTTP, HTML, and SNMP.
The directory function of Domino contains names, addresses, and distribution lists. High-speed lookup
capabilities utilize compressed directories that can be stored on local client disks. Most of the advanced
functions of E-mail are included in Domino, such as encryption, tracing, format translations, attachments,
and logging.
Domino contains a full calendaring and scheduling function that provides free-time searches, sending of
meeting notices, time zone support, Internet access, security, and attachment capabilities. Migration
aids are available to migrate non-Domino calendars to the Domino server.
Workflow is a rules-based “development” capability that combines programming logic (using templates)
with mail and directory information. This allows companies to achieve efficiencies in applications such
as travel expense approval, document reviews, and selective distribution of information.
Another element of collaboration is the sharing of data and documents. Domino contains a database
where all information of any object type is stored. Data in the database can be assigned various levels of
sharing from “none”, to password-controlled, to group-controlled, to author-controlled, to encrypted, to full
access to everyone. The level of control is defined by either the administrators or authors of the
document. With the ability to share data, Domino provides workgroup efficiency.
If a complete document management system is needed, Lotus offers an extension product called
Domino.Doc™. Domino.Doc uses a familiar library metaphor of file rooms, file cabinets, and binders. It
supports complete document life-cycle management from authoring through review, approval,
distribution and archiving. Domino.Doc also provides version control and check in/check out capabilities.
To support overall system performance, Domino provides a database facility called replication. Using
replication, multiple servers and/or clients can have a copy of the database that “copies” itself whenever
any item in the database changes, or it can be “copied” at defined intervals, or on demand. Having local
copies that are always up-to-date provides better access time, allowing clients to work in standalone
mode.
Domino creates applications with data and logic, stores them in the Domino database, and provides
dynamic translation to users so that they can run the applications from either a browser or a Lotus Notes
client interface. Domino’s application development tools support the use of wizards, templates, C++, or
Java™.
Applications can range from simple views of data with update capabilities, such as providing catalog
information, to sophisticated applications such as inventory management, billing, and process models.
Domino’s tools and programming interfaces allow for searching, access, and inclusion of data in
enterprise relational databases such as DB2® Universal Database and Oracle®. The possibilities are
further extended through the use of Domino Connectors and Lotus extension products available on AIX
such as Lotus Enterprise Integrator (LEI), Lotus Domino Workflow, and Lotus Enterprise Solution Builder.
Lotus Domino Server R5 Implementation Guide June 18, 2001
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