CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Oct. 23 /PRNewswire/ - Lotus Development Corp. today announced beta availability of iNotes Web Access, a next-generation Web client that for the first time allows users to access their Domino messaging, collaboration, personal and company information via a Web browser. With iNotes Web Access, Lotus is targeting an emerging market of customers who need the flexibility and manageability of browser-based applications without sacrificing performance or functionality. iNotes Web Access is an easy-to-deploy, low-maintenance client that enables access to Domino-based applications - both on-line and off-line - anywhere users can access the Internet.

"With experts estimating that over 50 million workers nationwide will soon be spending 20% or more of their time away from their desks, many companies are looking to add Web clients as an additional client interface to address this emerging class of workers." said Jeanette Medlin, director of worldwide product marketing, Lotus Development Corp. "iNotes Web Access provides a comprehensive set of features that go well beyond what has been currently available from other Web clients."

Since iNotes Web Access is server-based, it reduces cost of ownership and helps administrators conserve valuable IT resources. Administrators can easily deploy and maintain applications from a central server location, without having to configure each individual desktop. This is especially valuable to small enterprises or companies with large amounts of off-site and mobile workers, as well as companies that outsource their messaging and collaborative applications.

Similar to other products in the Notes client family, iNotes Web Access is optimized for mobile workers and enables users to maintain productivity and communication when not at their desks. iNotes Web Access allows users to connect with the same back-end information from remote locations, including Internet kiosks and Web cafes, that they would from their standard desktops. iNotes Web Access also contains the same off-line support that allows Notes users to seamlessly work with applications off-line and send changes back to a central server at their convenience.

"We feel that iNotes Web Access has the potential to be an extremely strong complement to our other Web-based offerings," said Rick Hartt, vice president of service offering management at netASPx, a Lotus Domino application service provider. "This is a Web client that significantly reduces desktop software distribution and eases client-side support, which makes it an excellent option for small and medium-sized businesses, as well as organizations of all sizes looking to outsource their messaging solutions."

With iNotes Web Access, Lotus is extending the Notes client family and giving customers an additional client choice to fit their work styles. iNotes Web Access gives organizations the option to augment standard desktop clients with portable and easy-to-use clients designed specifically for the Web, without sacrificing mobility, security or performance. For existing Notes customers, iNotes Web Access provides an additional client choice for organizations that need to keep the full application functionality of their standard Notes desktop client, and also want to provide the flexibility of accessing Domino through a browser for mobile and off-site workers.

Lotus Notes, iNotes and Mobile Notes provide customers with better control over their collaborative environments by allowing them to choose the right client mix that maximizes productivity. Lotus Notes, iNotes Web Access and Mobile Notes are designed to provide choice and allow users to maintain communication anytime, anywhere. While Lotus Notes helps more than 65 million users leverage the power of messaging and collaborative applications, Mobile Notes will bring the Notes experience to intelligent handheld and wireless devices including the Palm Computing Platform and other microbrowser-equipped devices.

The beta version of iNotes Web Access is currently available for trial use on all Win32 platforms with Internet Explorer 5+ or Netscape 4.7 and will support Windows NT with SP4. iNotes Web Access beta version may be obtained from the Lotus Web site at http://notes.net/inotes. iNotes Web Access is expected to ship in the first quarter of 2001 and will be available as part of the iNotes Client Access License (CAL). Pricing will be announced upon availability.

Lotus Development Corporation, founded in 1982, is a subsidiary of IBM Corporation. Lotus sets the standard for truly innovative software products and services that reflect the company's unique understanding of the new ways in which individuals and businesses must work together to achieve success. Lotus is redefining the concept of conducting business through practical knowledge management, e-business and other ground-breaking ways of connecting the world's ideas, thinkers, buyers, sellers and communities via the Internet. Lotus markets its products in more than 80 countries worldwide through direct and extensive Business Partner channels. The company also provides numerous professional consulting, support and education services through the Lotus Professional Services organization.

Lotus and Lotus Notes are registered trademarks and Domino, Notes, iNotes, iNotes Web Access and Mobile Notes are trademarks of Lotus Development Corporation. All other trademarks are owned by their respective companies.

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A copy of this release and other company information is also available via fax by dialing 1-800-57-LOTUS within the U.S. and Canada or 201-946-2336 outside the U.S. and Canada.

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