From 0 to DONE in 10 - Why Domino is the Ideal Platform to Create Our Low-code solution iPhora Flow

As an application platform, Domino has always been unique and has had the flexibility and capabilities that other platforms can only dream about.  Bundled into one single application server, you have all the components that you need for building and running applications, both in the client-server and web/mobile environment.  On one platform you have:

• User and Data Security
• NoSQL database platform
• Ability to Create Integration Points
• Flexible Data Structure
• Scalable Infrastructure
• Enterprise level application environment

All of this can fit into and run in this tiny box that is less than the size of an external hard drive.  Try this with any of the other platforms.  Maybe scale it by a factor of 100?

Notes power users were doing low-code decades before it became a buzz word.  In fact Notes users were creating applications, even before most of the companies and software that we use everyday even existed.

Unfortunately, Domino has fallen behind.  However, with HCL taking over our favorite platform, Domino is catching up and HCL will be releasing their Domino Volt soon. If you are fortunate enough to attend Engage 2020 and signed up for the Domino Volt workshop, you will be able to experience what HCL has been working on for low-code for Domino developers.

From the POV of a company that has been working on process automation for 20 years and using Domino as our primary platform, Domino Volt is a good start for Notes Developers.  We started creating low-code on Domino about 15 years ago but not the concept that most think of these days.

We started with componentizing all the code that we created for clients so that they can be reused and selected based on customers needs.  We started focusing more on the customer business rather than on programming.  At that time it was a Notes client solution which we then evolved into a Web solution which is now known as iPhora.

Since we deal with complex business processes, we further had to create methodologies to handle these processes which became more and more complex.  So we created an architecture that was modular and interchangeable.  Domino with its flexibility was ideal.  NoSQL really is the way to go.  Domino databases are the analogy to Docker instances which help organize applications.  The concept of a Domino database is very hard for individual outside of the Domino world to comprehend.  Only after they start using do they comprehend the power.

Based on our experience and designs, last year we developed the iPhora opus4 Node processor to handle all functions and processes as nodes where users regardless of skill level can use to assembly applications and processes.  Then we developed an interface to manage this nodes.

The results is iPhora Flow, a Domino-based flow-based solution for citizen to professional developers to rapidly create applications.  This video is a sneak preview of iPhora Flow which is the first of a series of products.  iPhora Flow runs on top of iPhora AppPlace and after you build your application you can immediate deploy the application full secured by iPhora Security.

By the way, iPhora is powered by LotusScript and Java. Sorry for the typo in the video, but we were in a rush to complete the video and edit it in 4 hours.  And, yes you can normally change it with the process designer. 

Building Effective Business Solutions Using Low-code and Engage 2020

I have not blogged in a long time not since CollabSphere 2019.  We have been relatively busy working on projects and on our newest versions of our Domino-based iPhora solutions.  We started working on our iPhora platform over a decade ago with the focus of creating a platform that we would use to help companies automate their complex business processes.  It started as a Lotus Notes-based solution and then went on to become a web-based solution. Further discussions on this later.

This leads you into the area that we have been focusing on for a few years.  The low-code market.  Rather than focusing on code and code, we spend more time with the customers on their business, their processes and organizing these processes.  Majority of the time, customers have an overall idea of what they need, but the details are hard to pin down.  That is where we come in.

As we all know, effective business applications are critical to the success of any organization large and small.  How fast and consistency you create these applications is critical to how effective your organization responds to the ever changing business environment. A big and growing market has been the no-code and low-code market for which Lotus Notes was at the forefront. Like everything in this world nothing stays the same. There are now many players in the no-code and low-code market with many even in Domino world.  Along with a list of other low-code solutions for Domino, HCL Digital Solutions is coming out with their Domino Volt solution this year.

The honorable Rob Novak and I are speaking next week at the annual Engage 2020 conference on this topic.  Our session is entitled "The Lowdown on Low-Code: What Every Developer, Admin and Manager Needs to Know." We will discuss with the audience about the low-code market and what it means to you as a business user, power user, developer, administrator and manager.

As part of this presentation we would like your feedback on what you think about low-code. So we are running a quick 3 minutes survey to get your feedback.  Please help us. Thank you for your participation.  Rob will put on his magician's hat and maybe you will be transported to the Land of Magic!!!

See everyone at Engage 2020.  There is still a few slots left.  So get registered.   https://engage.ug

Low-code Survey, https://s.surveyplanet.com/GApBa5P5

CollabSphere 2019 Abstract Submission Deadline Extended

Each year we try to get everyone to submit three months before the conference, but it seems we were unsuccessful again. Many request because of vacation, work or the Factory Tour has delayed some of you from submitting. So we will be extending the abstract submission CollabSphere until August 18, 2019 at midnight. So submit your abstract.

CollabSphere 2019 Beauty Contest is Now Open

The new buzz word that has become more and more important is SECURITY. But, why is that? Security should always have been up and front and center. The Domino platform has always been at the forefront in terms of security from its inception. The new HCL Nomad (Domino Mobile App) platform brings this security to your mobile device. But let's face it, Notes apps are ugly compared to modern mobile apps. In June 2019, HCL launched the HCL Design Project called "Template Experience" to transform and modernize select Notes templates. To encourage the Notes/Domino community to unleash the potential of Notes and Domino V10, CollabSphere has joined forces with OpenNTF and launched the CollabSphere Beauty Contest. This global contest encourages you the developer to show your potential in transforming an ugly duckling to a beautiful swan. So get your thinking caps on, design skills ready and transform the ToDo template into a beautiful but secure app.

Go to https://tinyurl.com/y5qkw99k for more information about the contest and to download the contest template.

Winners will be announced at the CollabSphere 2019 Opening General Session on October 29, 2019 in Hilton Woburn, MA.

CollabSphere 2019 - Boston MA July/August 2019

I am please to announce that CollabSphere 2019 will be in Boston, MA.  We are still working on finalizing which hotel.  The dates will be either the last week of July or first week of August 2019. We were down to Nashville and Boston, but there were no hotels in Nashville available to even consider. 

Sign up for the CollabSphere 2018 Workshops

Our two CollabSphere 2018 Platinum Sponsors, panagenda and Red Pill Now will have free workshops on Monday July 23, 2018 from 9:00 AM until 12:00 PM.  Take this opportunity to learn, engage and contribute.  There is still time to sign up for these two wonderful workshops.


panagenda

Plotting a path forward for your IBM Collaboration landscape can be challenging!

Join us to learn how the brand new version of ApplicationInsights, DataMiner and other panagenda solutions can provide a cohesive way to get start your collaboration landscape transformation!

Find out how your very own data gets turned into easy-to-understand dashboards that show current application usage, business value and transformation roadblocks so you can decide on what should be archived, migrated, rewritten or modernized.


Learn about our new OfficeExpert solution and what you need to do to get ready for Notes 10!

https://www.panagenda.com/collabsphere-2018-workshop/


Red Pill Now


Red Pill Now Take 5 Modernization Workshop

Interested in modernizing your Notes applications but fresh out of silver bullets and magic buttons? If so, join us for an action-packed fun-filled workshop in which we will explore together some of the key ideas and processes needed for a successful modernization project at your company. We will be making use of Design Thinking throughout the workshop, starting with a conversation about the importance of establishing a modernization strategy. We will then look at how tools such as Application insights and TeamWorkr Analytics can be used to build a distinct strategy for each application. Next we look at options for reducing the cost of the modernization using tools such as aveedo, PickAform, Red Pill DIG, Sapho, SWING Seascape, TeamWorkr, and Webinizer. The workshop will conclude with an important discussion about the things every company should already be doing to prepare for a modernization project before we give away a number of great prizes to attendees.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/red-pill-now-take-5-modernization-workshop-tickets-47740115972

MWLUG/CollabSphere 2018 Agenda is Now Online

We are pleased to announce the agenda for MWLUG/CollabSphere 2018 is now online. It is going to be one of the best conferences we will ever had. All great sessions from our entire community including IBM Customers, IBM Business Partners, and IBMers not just from ICS but from many other parts of IBM. This is collaboration at its finest.

http://collabsphere.org

MWLUG/CollabSphere 2018 consist of:

• 54 Business and Technical Sessions
• 7 Roundtables
• 6 Chat Sessions
• 3 Workshops
• Opening General Session
• Opening General Session - Domino
• Closing General Session

So get registered, http://collabsphere.org/ug/collabsphere2018.nsf/register.html

Security and Compliance is NOT an Option! - MWLUG/CollabSphere 2018

Time and time again developers create cool applications that users love.  Whether it is a web or mobile application their primary focus is on the UI and user interaction.  From the design and user-ability perspective that it is important.  However, majority of these applications are designed and built  without the consideration of data security or whether it compiles to government compliance and regulations.  Including security and following government dictated regulations seems to be an after thought. 

Data security and compliance should not be an after thought, but part of your core design.  So as part of MWLUG/CollabSphere 2018, we have an entire track focused to Security and Compliance.  

We hope to see everyone there at CollabSphere 2018 at the Sheraton Hotel in Ann Arbor, MI from July 23 to 25, 2018. To register go to http://collabsphere.org/ug/collabsphere2018.nsf/register.html.


Here is a list of Security and Compliance sessions at MWLUG/CollabSphere 2018