IBM Notes was the name of Lotus Notes from 2013 to 2019, when IBM sold the product to HCL. Today it is called HCL Notes, but many installations still run IBM Notes 9.
IBM Notes was the name of Lotus Notes from 2013 to 2019. IBM had owned the product since 1995 but only dropped the Lotus name with version 9. In 2019 IBM sold the whole portfolio to HCL, and the product is now called HCL Notes. The server was likewise called IBM Domino and is now HCL Domino.
The IBM Notes versions
- IBM Notes 9.0 (2013): New interface with Social Edition, iNotes webmail and better integration with IBM Connections.
- IBM Notes 9.0.1 (2013 to 2018): The version running in most old installations. It received feature packs up to FP10.
- IBM Notes 10 (2018): The last IBM version, developed together with HCL. It brought 64 bit, larger databases and Node.js integration.
All IBM versions are out of support today. IBM Notes 9.0.1 received its last fix in 2021.
Why do so many still run IBM Notes?
Because it works. A Domino 9 server runs for years without complaint. Many companies decided around 2015 that Notes would be phased out, and therefore stopped upgrading. Ten years later the applications are still running, now on a server without security fixes and on a Windows that is also out of support.
What should you do with an IBM Notes installation?
- Upgrade to HCL Domino 14. The licence can be converted, and the upgrade from 9.0.1 is well documented. It gives you security, Nomad, REST API and support for modern TLS.
- Migrate. If the platform is going, you should still upgrade first, because migration tools require a newer version. Read about Notes migration.
- Archive. If the data is no longer used, the server can be shut down after export to a searchable archive.
Common questions about IBM Notes
Can we still get support for IBM Notes 9?
Not from HCL. We support old versions but recommend upgrading. See Notes support.
Does our IBM Notes licence still work?
Old IBM licences were transferred to HCL. If you have paid maintenance, you can upgrade. If not, the licence must be renewed with HCL.
Is HCL Notes the same product?
Yes. Same code, same NSF files, same LotusScript. Applications from IBM Notes 9 run unchanged in HCL Notes 14.
Help with upgrading
We upgrade IBM Notes and Domino environments to the latest HCL version. Read about our HCL Notes solutions.