Lotus Notes vs Office 365 – Take the Best Decision for Your Organization
Overview: After the shifting of Lotus Notes from IBM to HCL. Lotus Notes vs Office 365 has become a debatable discussion among organizations. That’s why here we are having a complete discussion on both platforms to differentiate between Lotus Notes and Office 365.
In the initial days of 90’s IBM started Lotus Notes as an email client based on the Domino server. But the results are beyond their expectations. After analyzing the IBM Lotus Notes’ performance until the 20s, they finally decided to sell it to the HCL. Therefore in 2019, HCL took over Lotus Notes, and after updating the features they finally made it HCL Lotus Notes to fulfill the current organization’s demand.
But Office 365 or Microsoft 365 occupy a huge market because of their enhanced security and supported features. Microsoft has become the first choice of the organizations as an email client. But in today’s world, which one to choose is the biggest query of users. So do not worry and go with this article to find the best one for you as per the requirements.
Table of Content
Difference Between Lotus Notes and Office 365
Let’s explore all the factors that help you to choose the right one from Lotus Notes vs Office 365.
1. Deployment of the Server
The cloud-based technologies are preferred by organizations for their smooth functioning. Office 365 is completely based on the cloud server. Through this, the organizations do need not to manage the server and are not required to handle the issues related to the server. Microsoft 365 provides different subscription plans so that organizations can purchase the plan as per their requirements. The purchased plans can be extended and renewed easily.
When the Lotus Notes was managed by IBM at that time it was based on the cloud server. However, after being acquired by HCL. The HCL Lotus Notes is based on the on-premise server only. Due to this, there is a requirement for an administrator to manage all the functionalities of the on-premise server. The complete security and updates of the server are managed by the admin for flawless functionalities.
2. Interactive User Interface
To calculate the difference between Lotus Notes and Office 365. The user interface plays a vital role. As per the interactive user interface of the Outlook. Users can easily be familiar with its options and functions. Microsoft designed the interface of all their apps in a similar way so that users can easily understand the app’s interface.
However, the user interface of Lotus Notes is not so much interactive for the users. Though it is under development and HCL is improving its interface. Office 365 maintains strong integration with its other apps such as Word, Excel, and many more. Because of the Office 365 cloud server, it provides access from any location.
3. Database Security – Lotus Notes vs Office 365
Security of the database is a must to prevent the data from attackers. As Office 365 is a cloud-based platform the database is highly secured. It uses the advanced 128-bit-RPC encryption technique to add a protection layer of security to the database. Microsoft also releases the regular updates to enhance the database security.
HCL Lotus Notes uses the on-premise server and needs to be maintained by the administrator regularly. So the complete security of the database depends upon the administrator. HCL also has a document that can be used to improve the security. Lotus Notes uses the No-SQL database which is already a secured database but it needs to be protected from attacks using the Antivirus and firewalls.
4. Storage
Because of the on-premise server of Lotus Notes the storage is managed by the administrator. To enhance the storage of the Lotus Notes server administrator needs to add multiple hard drives. The shrinking and adding of the storage is completely managed by the administrator. But all the actions should be done carefully because wrongly executing any of the actions results in major consequences.
Office 365 storage plans are multiple. Users can pick up any plan as per the requirements. The plans can be renewed easily when they are going to expire. There is also an option to upgrade and reduce the plans to get the limited functionalities of the Office 365 apps.
5. Application Availability – Lotus Notes vs Office 365
Lotus Notes does not provide any other application that can integrate with it. It is a stand-alone application. But Office 365 is a complete suite that provides different apps such as SharePoint, Teams, and other advanced applications as well. All the applications of the Office 365 are integrated and enhance collaboration.
Now after getting a deep understanding of the difference between Lotus Notes and Office 365. If you want to shift from Lotus Notes(.nsf) to Office 365 then it is also possible. So stick to the article and explore the finest way to switch over to Office 365 from Lotus Notes.
Best Way to Switch from Lotus Notes to Office 365
Migrator Wizard Lotus Notes Migration Tool is one of the efficient tools to migrate Lotus Notes to Office 365. This tool can store all the emails from NSF files to Microsoft 365 without any error. There is also an option to put all the emails from the .nsf files into the Office 365 in-place archive mailbox. It is full-fledged with advanced options to make the process efficient. You just need to execute the basic steps to complete the process.
- Step 1. Download and Run the tool. Select Lotus Notes and Office 365 as the Source and Destination platforms.
- Step 2. Choose the items for migration under the workload.
- Step 3. Complete the Source and Destination credentials.
- Step 4. Fetch the users into the tool.
- Step 5. Finally, hit on the Start Migration button.
Conclusion
Now as per the above discussion on Lotus Notes vs Office 365, you have a clear idea of which one to choose. However, Office 365 looks the clear winner of this discussion because of several collaborative features and ease of management. Because of Office 365 functions a query can be generated to switch to Office 365 from Lotus Notes. That’s why in this write-up, we have also explained the most reliable Lotus Notes to Office 365 migrator for efficient migration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Which one has the more interactive user interface among Lotus Notes and Office 365?
Ans – Microsoft Office 365 has a more attractive user interface as compared to Lotus Notes.
Q2. What encryption technique is integrated with Office 365?
Ans – Office 365 uses the advanced 128-bit-RPC encryption technique to secure data.
Q3. What is the difference between Lotus Notes and Office 365?
Ans – Below are the major differences between Lotus Notes and Office 365:-
- Server Deployment.
- Application Availability
- Storage
- Data Security
Q4. Explain Lotus Notes vs Office 365, which one can integrate third-party applications?
Ans – Office 365 is supportive of integrating the other applications and Lotus Notes doesn’t.