A Notes application is a business system built on HCL Notes and Domino, where data, forms, views and logic live together in one NSF database.
A Notes application is a business system built on HCL Notes and Domino. Data, forms, views and logic live together in one NSF database. It is these applications, not mail, that keep most companies on the platform.
Typical Notes applications
- Case management and records in municipalities and ministries.
- Quality and deviation systems in manufacturing.
- Customer records, orders and quotes.
- Personnel files, leave and absence registration.
- Document management with approval and versions.
- Helpdesk and internal support.
- Integrations that move data between other systems.
How is a Notes application built?
The application consists of documents with fields, forms that display the documents, views that list them, and code in the formula language or LotusScript. Access is controlled with ACL and reader fields down to the individual document. All of this is built in Domino Designer, and the application can run in the Notes client, in the browser through Nomad or XPages, and on mobile.
Strengths and weaknesses
Strengths: fast to build, offline through replication, document level security and very stable operation. Weaknesses: no fixed data model, which makes reporting and migration hard, an interface that looks dated, and few developers who know the platform.
What do you do with old Notes applications?
- Map them. Most companies have more than they think and use fewer than they think.
- Archive those that are not used.
- Modernise those that will live on: Nomad, REST API, AI.
- Migrate those to be replaced, one at a time. See Notes migration.
Common questions
How many Notes applications does a typical company have?
From 10 to several hundred. We have seen environments with over 2,000 databases, of which fewer than 100 were in use.
Can a Notes application be moved to SharePoint?
The data can. Logic and workflows must be rebuilt, typically in Power Apps and Power Automate.
Can AI be used in a Notes application?
Yes. See ChatGPT integration for HCL Notes and Domino IQ.
Help with your applications
We take over, document and extend Notes applications. Read about Notes development and maintenance.