Unified Communications - releasing the power of Sametime
Latest version of Domino – Version 8.5.3
October 2011
The eagerly awaited new release of Domino has arrived in the form of 8.5.3. This maintenance release fixes over 1206 reported SPR issues, but also brings new features and functionality to both Domino and the Notes client. Additionally, there is a new version of Traveler, the mobile solution for Notes.
As with all IBM Lotus releases it works on all platforms supporting both 32 and 64bit operating systems.
So why is it good?
Putting the technical reasons to one side, this new release demonstrates to the Lotus Community IBM’s commitment to the platform. The roadmap for Domino and Notes continues and puts aside the skeptics views. Work has already started on 8.5.4 and version 9 (name still to be confirmed) will most probably be announced at Lotusphere in January 2012.
What’s under the hood?
Another IBM Social push with significant enhancements to help users get their work done faster, this release now includes entitlement to IBM Connections and profiles component which helps clients make the move to becoming “social businesses”.
New e-mail notifications capability, sorting by subject that ignores the “Re: and FW:” text, search by sender or subject from a right click and the option to leave countered meetings in your calendars are all there to keep up with the competition. Nice touches include the ability to have different signatures for different e-mails, duplicate calendar entries merged in to one and sharing of iCalendars.
Additional improvements to recent contacts, ability to remove signature files from a thread, MAC usability enhancements and an upgraded embedded Sametime and Symphony applications are all welcome enhancements.
More obscure, but much needed, was the additional platform support for RHEL 6.0 Desktop, Citrix XenApp6.0 and enhanced toleration for Microsoft Windows.
Traveler
Support for Android devices has been considerably enhanced, with the client now capable of automatic updates, encrypted mail, type ahead for addresses, increased file attachment size, a send button in the composes e-mail, multi line signatures, lots of calendar changes and the ability to run desktop widgets.
For Apple users we have improved policy deployment, the ability to partially wipe the device leaving users personal information and apps intact, much needed sycronisation of reply and forward icons to match the server side mail file. And our Nokia users get encryption and HTML capabilities added.
On the server side, device level security has been added that will allow Administrators to specify what devices can register. Corporate lookup improvements including name lookup searches, improved command line functionality and meeting notice enhancements.
This is a worthy upgrade whatever your devices, but is also a good way to save money if you are running Blackberry.
Important licence changes
Notes & Domino 8.5.3 has a completely rewritten set of agreements. The main aim was to simplify the text and make clearer on what was NOT allowed. The main changes have been to the Express offering with clarification at last on eligibility for this cheaper license model. It is now clear that Express is available to companies where there are less than 1,000 users using Notes and Domino. The only exception to this rule appears to be Utility Express which is still restricted to companies of 100 employees, so watch this space!
If you would like to talk about upgrading your current Lotus infrastructure, using IBM Lotus Traveler or would just like to discuss your options, then please contact us for further information.
For more information, or a demonstration
Call us on 01483 863000
E-mail us on sales@time-technology.co.uk
