Simon Barratt

Forbes´ Daniel Lyons is at it again

Long time Lotus Notes antagonist is at it again.  I can't quite understand why Daniel seems to enjoy poking his stick in the same hornets nest over and over again!  His entire style, in his annual 'Notes is dead' repertoire, appears to be one of drag up old comments, rehash the Radicati group and make statements in a "come and 'ave a go if you're 'ard enough" style!  Please, I think we are a bit more mature than that!

I love his comment:

Now that Notes is clearly in second place, what spin can these head-in-the-sand Notes proponents adopt? Perhaps they will take a page from Apple Computer’s (nasdaq: AAPL - news - people ) “we’re smaller but better” playbook, and position Notes as a sophisticated product for customers who want something better than what Microsoft offers.

 Notes has always been classed as being more sophisticated and functional.  Why have Microsoft attempted many times to build a "Notes Killer"?  They know it is a very capable environment.

I can only assume that Daniel believes all things Microsoft are the only viable choice these days.  I counter, that both products command the vast majority of market share in this space, and that both companies need each other, if only to keep innovation alive and to provide a choice.  Microsoft seem to be finally getting a reasonably coherent collaboration suite in place.  Yes, it is like reading an 'à la carte' menu, but they are building these things primarily because IBM is forcing them too.  Microsoft needs a competitive response to Notes.

Anyway, read his article, digest it and make your own opinions!