Millions migrate from Notes: Microsoft

July 30, 2009:Microsoft claims more than 4.7 million users of Lotus Notes and Domino began the switch to Exchange and SharePoint in the last financial year, from July 2008 to June 2009.

Julia White, Director of Exchange Marketing for Microsoft claimed cost savings is the number one driver for migrations.

"Notes systems simply cost more to run and manage. A Ferris Research survey of 917 companies found that Notes systems can cost twice as much as Exchange 2007. But, most businesses have their eyes on the longer term productivity gains that Exchange and SharePoint deliver. With today’s economy, businesses understand that investing in the right applications can reduce costs in the short term and drive greater efficiencies, productivity and overall business value in the long run"

Writing on the Microsoft Unified Communications Group Team Blog, White said the launch of Exchange Online and SharePoint Online is the US had been a a key driver for migrations.

"On the other hand, Notes customers wanting a cloud-based solution have limited options. IBM’s “Goldilocks approach” (companies cannot be too small or too big to move to the cloud as the IBM service starts at 1,000 users and stops at 10,000) and the added costs of cobbling together solutions based on different platform choices (Domino, WebSphere, DB2) give customers few choices. As a result, Notes customers are choosing Microsoft Online because it provides them with a flexible, single platform that is accessible from a familiar interface across the PC, phone and browser," said White.