Should your organization migrate away from Notes and Domino?

It’s a question that is becoming more and more common as large companies that have relied on their legacy systems for years seek to move to the cloud, become more nimble, or just in general upgrade to newer technology.

The problem is that most advice on the subject is driven as much by passion as by sound business sense. On one side, there are those who passionately defend Notes and Domino. This group of IT professionals grew up with these products, understand them intimately and have seen them become bulletproof workhorses. On the other side are an equally passionate group who are convinced, likely with the aid of the formidable Microsoft marketing team, that Notes and Domino are obsolete and in need of total replacement with superior new technology.

But does it have to be all or nothing?

Both sides are right – to a degree. There are good reasons for moving to the cloud, and there can be good reasons to use a Microsoft product. But legacy systems tend to be highly robust development platforms, which is in part why some large institutions are so entrenched in them.

Some companies have used Notes and Domino to build hundreds or even thousands of applications that touch every aspect of their businesses. Whether they are an insurance company, a large financial institution, or a medical system, these companies need to think carefully about how any significant shift will affect their business performance.

With so much at stake, passion should be set aside in favor of an honest assessment. Figure out what you have. Entrenched legacy systems can be enormous, unwieldy beasts. However, they are powerful, proven work-horses, and are already paid for. Keep business goals in mind as you assess your options.

Many businesses will find that the best approach is to keep some of their older systems humming along, while incorporating new technologies on a gradual, iterative schedule. Let the cloud do what it does best, without killing the beast behind your core systems. There’s a very solid business case for this middle-way.

Resisting the urge to decide on an all or nothing basis may give you the best of both worlds: the cost-effectiveness and reliability of your legacy system and the flexibility and sex appeal of the cloud.