Migrate Lotus Notes databases to Microsoft 365?

28-11-2025 - Author: Ralph Boccalini

Migrating from HCL Lotus Notes to Microsoft 365 (including Exchange Online, Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive, and other Office 365 applications) can be a significant transition for organizations, as both platforms have different architectures and ways of managing data and collaboration.

With our knowledge of the right tools, planning, and training, we can help you successfully transition your company to the cloud and leverage Microsoft 365's modern collaboration and productivity features.

Migrate from Lotus Notes to Microsoft Office 365

Understanding the Key Differences

  • Email & Calendar: Lotus Notes uses its own email and calendar system, while Microsoft 365 relies on Exchange Online for email, calendar, and contacts.
  • Collaboration: Lotus Notes has its own tools for collaboration, including databases, workflows, and applications. Microsoft 365, on the other hand, offers tools like SharePoint Online, Teams, and OneDrive for document sharing, communication, and collaboration.
  • Applications: Lotus Notes also includes custom-built applications, which may need to be re-engineered or replaced in Microsoft 365 with Power Apps, SharePoint, or other solutions.

Migration Methods

Several methods exist to migrate from Lotus Notes to Microsoft 365:

  • Direct Migration (Using Third-Party Tools): We use specialized third-party tools designed to automate the migration process from Lotus Notes to Microsoft 365.
  • Manual Migration: This method involves exporting data from Lotus Notes (e.g., as NSF files) and then manually importing it into Outlook or Exchange Online. This can be labor-intensive and might not be suitable for large organizations.
  • Hybrid Approach: For larger migrations or complex environments, you might need a hybrid approach, where you run both systems in parallel for some time. This method requires careful planning, as synchronization between Lotus Notes and Microsoft 365 must be maintained during the transition period.

Story of Lotus Notes

The story of Lotus Notes is a fascinating journey through the evolution of collaborative software. Here’s a detailed look at its history:

Early Beginnings

The origins of Lotus Notes can be traced back to the work of Ray Ozzie, Tim Halvorsen, and Len Kawell. They initially worked on a project called PLATO Notes at the University of Illinois and later on DECNotes. Their vision was to create a platform that would facilitate collaboration and communication within organizations.

Lotus Development Corporation

In 1989, Lotus Development Corporation, founded by Mitch Kapor, saw the potential in Ozzie’s project and decided to develop it further. This led to the creation of Lotus Notes, which quickly became popular for its innovative approach to email, calendaring, and collaboration.

IBM Acquisition

In 1995, IBM acquired Lotus Development Corporation for $3.5 billion. This acquisition allowed IBM to integrate Lotus Notes into its suite of enterprise solutions, rebranding it as IBM Notes. The software continued to evolve, adding new features and improving its scalability and user interface.

Introduction of Domino

In 1996, Lotus introduced an HTTP server add-on for the Notes 4 server called “Domino.” This add-on allowed Notes documents to be rendered as web pages in real-time. Later that year, the Domino web server was integrated into release 4.5 of the core Notes server, and the entire server program was rebranded as Domino1.

HCL Technologies

On December 6, 2018, IBM announced that it was selling several software products, including Notes and Domino, to HCL Technologies for $1.8 billion. The acquisition was completed in July 2019. Under HCL, the software has continued to evolve, with major releases like HCL Notes 11 and 12 introducing new features such as SwiftFile assistant integration, cloud-native deployment, and enhanced security options.

Modern Era

Today, HCL Notes and Domino remain powerful tools for business collaboration, offering a wide range of functionalities including email, calendars, to-do lists, contact management, discussion forums, file sharing, websites, instant messaging, blogs, document libraries, user directories, and custom applications. The platform supports various operating systems, including AIX, IBM i, Linux, macOS, and Windows.

Legacy and Impact

Lotus Notes and Domino have left a lasting impact on the world of enterprise software. They pioneered many features that are now standard in collaborative software, and their influence can still be seen in modern tools and platforms.