Notes vs.

Exchange A Comparative Analysis

By MadWolf Technologies April 25, 2006

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There are two titans that have been contentiously battling for the enterprise messaging heavyweight title. Microsofts Exchange Server versus IBMs Lotus Domino. The following analysis reflects research and experience in the advantages of each product comparatively. Comparative Clarity There is a tendency to compare Exchange Server and Lotus Domino as if they are very similar products. That is simply not true. Starting at the directories we can note various differences. Both products directories are used to collect information regarding network resources, passwords, and user data. Microsoft uses Active Directory which exists in the Windows OS, not Exchange. Dominos directory is built-in. This distinction is important because it impacts TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) calculations for Domino and Exchange. When discussing Exchange many people do not realize that their IT efforts/resources will also be tied to Active Directory and Windows networking. IT resources will need to be spent on installing and maintaining the aforementioned Microsoft technologies in order to implement Exchange. Lotus Dominos directory and networking components are built-in. Lotus Domino is a product that does not require other products, such as an external directory for implementation. Because Domino is not tied to Active Directory it can also run on several different OS platforms. Domino Enterprise server provides more than email. It also provides rich collaborative features, which allow users to collaborate in real time. Domino Enterprise server is an application server that can deliver customized applications as well as serve as a fully functional web server. These distinctions further differentiate the products.

End User Support Outlook is included in the Windows desktop, therefore, as a client it is easily deployed because it is already in place. Most often, end users who compare Exchange and Domino are actually comparing Outlook and the Domino client interface. People typically understand Outlook and it is easy to use. However, when users learn to use the Notes client, they learn how powerful it is, and they can do a lot more productive work than with Outlook. The question that should be asked is Will the end user leverage the power of Domino? Environments that are currently utilizing Domino may want to review their current leverage of the Domino product. The Domino client interface can be configured to present information according to the desires of the end user. For example, a users Domino interface can easily configured to display the contents of the inbox in one pane and the users schedule in a second pane each time the user opens the client. All relevant databases can also be easily and quickly bookmarked to enable the user to efficiently access what he or she needs to use. For users who like the Outlook interface, Domino can also run through the Outlook interface.
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Users can also embed forms, outlines, and instant messaging contacts directly into messages. Advantage: Neither

Remote Connection There is not a lot of difference in supporting remote Notes users versus Outlook via web mail. However, there will be the need for IT resources to be dedicated to configure and maintain the other Windows components such as IIS. Domino does have features that give users the ability to configure the web interface. As mentioned previously, this will allow the user to see his or her inbox, schedule, to do list, etc, upon opening Domino Web mail. The PDA functionality also exists with both Outlook and Lotus Domino. The ability to synchronize calendars and transfer information via conduit is available for both clients. Advantage: Neither

Security Microsoft has experienced numerous exploitations of its client-side vulnerabilities. This happens more easily because all operations are closely tied into the operating system. Because Exchange is really engineered to run only on Microsoft operating systems, it is doubtful that it can truly be completely fixed. Domino also satisfies nearly every regulatory and compliance engine. Domino email is more secure than Exchange, one of the reasons being Public Key Infrastructure (PKI). Additionally, Domino has yet to experience the virus and Trojan attacks that infiltrate Outlook and send spam email to the users contacts listed in their business contacts. This type of exploitation can result in a business being blacklisted as a result of the virus or Trojan sending out spam. The Domino client provides a second-to-none local security model that locks the local Domino environment securely while allowing the user functionality to take advantage of the clients rich features. Some of the Domino security features that are unique to Lotus are database ACL security, design element security, document level security and fields within a document security. Advantage: Domino

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IT Administration Costs Domino appears to have a higher administration cost if you compare the two as if Exchange were a stand alone product. However, the fact that there is an integrated infrastructure tied to Exchange as previously mentioned, therefore, the TCO of Exchange becomes higher. Domino provides added groupware functionality which must be administered and therefore Domino may seem to have a higher administrative overhead. However, because Domino is more stable, robust and reliable the TCO is lessened. Advantage: Domino

Instant Messaging Features Dominos Sametime functionality is secure and allows users to share entire applications, as well as real time collaboration utilizing video and audio. Exchange integrates with MSN Messenger, but its collaborative features and security are not as comprehensive as Sametime. Sametime uses the same security model as the Domino server for internet and intranet authentication and levels of access. Sametime Meetings can be encrypted and password secured. Advantage: Domino

Licensing Costs The Domino is more costly initially. However, if groupware usage is a part of the paradigm of the user base functionality then Domino is not more costly. Domino Enterprise server provides real time collaboration, applications, messaging, and support for IMAP, POP3 and other functionality that Exchange does not offer. The Microsoft client may initially appear to be free, however you are required to license nearly everything. Therefore, initially, the Exchange cost seems to be less. The comparison is not an apples-to-apples comparison in this case because of the dissimilarity. Cost of Exchange licensing is a combination of Exchange server purchase and per user licensing. For example, a purchase of Exchange Standard Edition costs $679.99 and 15 licenses costs $1,004.85. The combined total is $1684.84. There are also costs associated with renewal. However, the more robust version of Exchange that organizations would compare to Lotus Notes use is the Exchange Enterprise Edition, and here the products are balanced. See appendix A for costs and details. Advantage: Neither

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Clustering and Availability Domino Enterprise server has built-in clustering which is unique for a PC email product. A Domino server cluster will notice if a database is heavily used or is not available, such that when a user tries to connect to such a database, it will seamlessly redirect the user to another replica of that database on another server in the cluster. The user will not have to do anything, and will probably not even notice the process. Failover occurs when users cannot access the server that contains the database or they cannot access the database itself. Domino can also cluster across different operating system platforms. Exchange clustering will produce a very reliable failover environment tied into the Microsoft network environment. The deployment of Domino clustering and failover will require less IT resources. Exchange provides a clustering component that occurs at the OS level and is capable of a smaller amount of clustered databases per server. Domino clustering is the most capable and robust of the two due to the small amount of Microsofts clustered databases per server. Advantage: Domino

Upgrading Exchange upgrades are tied into Active Directory. Microsoft has developed very useful upgrade tools that have made Exchange Migration easier. The next release of Exchange, known as Exchange 12, will only be available as a 64 bit version. The next edition of Domino 7 will run in a 32 bit environment. Users will not have to be forced to move to a 64 environment to upgrade to Domino 7. Domino has a very smooth upgrade path with minimal effect on users. Domino can even automatically push out new versions of Notes. Exchange upgrades are typically an extensive process requiring and investment of time and resources. Advantage: Domino

Development There are a plethora of development tools for Microsoft. However, once again it is difficult to compare comprehensively because if you are looking for groupware development applications, Microsoft Exchange simply does not have it. It is worth noting that for other features there are more development tools available for Microsoft. Worth noting is that Domino supports OLE and COM technology. Domino offers unmatched customizability, with a programming language and Domino Designer as the design tool that will enable you to build databases, workflows, collaborative tools, designed and tailored specifically for your environments needs. Another tremendous difference to be noted is the fact that Dominos groupware capability is expressed through integration of its
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components via Dominos Rapid Application Development environment which sets it apart from Exchange functionality. Advantage: Domino

Replication Domino replication has long boasted the most robust replication available. It is excellent for mobile users, providing compression over the wire which speeds up the transfer. You can also easily define locations (home, mobile) with different replication settings for each. Microsoft provides Microsoft Outlook Mobile Manager to extend the functionality of Outlook. Mobile Domino users can replicate a working database to their laptops, work offline and replicate the changes when online again. Advantage: Domino

Platforms Domino server can run on several platforms, including Windows 2000, Windows 2003, Linux, UNIX, and Solaris. The Domino infrastructure can run cross platform allowing organizations to maintain different operating systems on their servers. Exchange runs in the Windows environment tightly integrated with Active Directory. Advantage: Domino

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Overall Microsofts Exchange and IBMs Domino are both very robust in the own respects. Oftimes, the common perception is that Outlook is easier to use than Domino. Dominos client interface is a variance from the familiar Windows paradigm. People are used to Outlook from home computer usage. Domino is more suited to an organization that wants top notch security, virtually no successful virus and hacking attacks, application and database development capabilities as well as application level failover. Domino natively supports SMPT, POP3, IMAP, LDAP and NNTP. Domino is also the most robust and easiest to provide remote operation. Exchange is an excellent product for an organization that will only use email and limited calendaring and collaboration. Microsoft is working diligently to provide a more secure email environment that will prevent the exploitations that have occurred previously. There is no one answer for all organizations. Ultimately, the decision rests on the consideration of what makes sense for the organizations current size and growth.

MadWolf Technologies 1707 H Street NW Suite 850 Washington DC 20006 202-293-5003 www.madwolf.com

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Appendix A Domino vs. Exchange Licensing and Renewal Costs Exchange

Domino
Enterprise Server $3600.00 $140.99

$1454.85

$2114.85

Total Cost

$7438.27

$5714.85

Yearly Server Renewal Costs

Exchange Enterprise Server $1969.99

Domino Enterprise Server $950.00

License Renewal Costs

15 Exchange User Licenses $524.85

Domino User Licenses $565.05

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Product Features Exchange

Lotus Domino
Easily configurable, Most robust and powerful *users need to be trained to maximize Domino power Easily configurable, most robust and powerful PKI security model, currently the most secure email and collaboration product, granular access control across applications Most stable, and robust, Not tied to Active Directory, centralized administration Secure, application sharing, whiteboard meetings, encryption Most reliable email collaboration product available across platforms

Remote Connection

Easy to use

Security

Successful hacks & virus attacks

IT Administration Costs

Administration is tied to Active Directory

Instant Messaging Features

Not as secure, hacker target

Availability

Tied to Active Directory, less stable than Domino

Upgrading

Good upgrade troubleshooting tools, *next Exchange (Exchange 12) will only be available as a 64 bit version

Runs across multiple platforms, Windows Server, Linux, Sun Solaris, Domino 7.02 will run in x64 environment

MadWolf Technologies 1707 H Street NW Suite 850 Washington DC 20006 202-293-5003 www.madwolf.com