Domino Interface

The recent announcement by IBM to continue the development and support for the IBM Domino platform indefinitely was great timing for part 2 of this series. This series is about the direction that we are taking Domino. This journey has taken more than five years with many different designs and experiments to get to where we are in our iPhora technology. You can find Part 1 of this series  here .  There are many tools and solutions out there from many vendors for "Modernizing" a Notes application. But what does that really mean?  In most cases, that means replacing the Notes application interface with a Web interface and making a better UI experience for the user. But for us application modernization is not just about the front-end but also but how the data is collected, managed, stored and processed. How it integrates with outside third-party services. Most Domino application modernization leaves the data untouched in the same structure. XPages mimics the Notes application

On October 25, 2017, IBM announced their strategic partnership with HCL with Domino, Sametime, Traveler, Verse and other products. As many have blogged and tweeted, IBM is turning over the development of these products for the forseeable future to HCL. Also, Ed Brill announced that IBM will be releasing Domino X in 2018 and #Domino2025 Jam to help determine the future of the Domino technology. I am not going to dwell on the details. You can find it yourself.  I am going to discuss what this means for Phora Group and myself. There are many naysayers who have stated that this announcement is too late. I would say it is NEVER too late. So what does this announcement mean for Phora Group and myself. Am I super excited, NO.  Am I happy, YES. Was the moving of development to HCL surprising, NO. And, it will not surprise me if the relationship with HCL go beyond just development, think Lenovo. We have been partners with IBM/Lotus for a very long time, and know that things just does not mo

MWLUG 2017 was our most successful MWLUG conference we have ever had. With over 232 registered and a small number of cancellations, MWLUG 2017 was the most attended and largest conference. We had over 60 sessions, workshops and round tables with speakers from all over the United States and Europe. Over a third of the sessions were non-IBM specific and included sessions covering new topics like MongoDB and GDPR. In tuned with our theme this year, Moving Collaboration Forward, our goal was to expand our conference this year forward towards a new direction and not just cover the usual. The world of collaboration is changing. No longer does a solution stand by itself nor does a solution just involve components from a single vendor. Companies need to chose the best of breed and integrate solutions together. Sometimes it involves solutions from many vendors. This is a direction that IBM is moving towards with Cisco and Box. At the same time we see customers moving away from the IBM stac

This year the MWLUG conference was held at the Hilton Mark Center in Alexandria, VA. The theme for MWLUG 2017 was "Moving Collaboration Forward."  There are numerous changes to the IBM Collaboration landscape and we wanted to cover these changes, but at the same time augment our normal ICS specific sessions with sessions focused on the greater landscape of collaboration. We had sessions on non-ICS specific topics like MongoDB, IoT, and Sharepoint. MWLUG 2017 this year comprised of 60 sessions, workshops, and round tables. We had 232 registered attendees with 211 showing up making this the largest conference we had ever had. The conference covered IBM Bluemix, IBM Cloud, IBM Connections, IBM Notes/Domino, IBM Verse, Watson Workspace, IBM/Cisco Collaboration and Connections Pink. The IBM Domino Application development round tables were most enlightening and dynamic to put it. Our two Platinum sponsors, panagenda and Red Pill Now both had free workshops for the attendees.

Posted   August 9, 2017  -  By   Louise Burton - Communication Phora Group, a DocuSign Partner is pleased to announce that its iPhora application platform now integrates directly with DocuSign, the leading cloud-based provider of electronic signature services with over 200 million users in 188 countries. With the integration of DocuSign, complex document workflows and business processes requiring electronic signatures can be instantly signed, anywhere in the world, using a process that is secure and legally binding. The new integration with DocuSign utilizes iPhora Async, a secure, asynchronous, event-driven, add-on to iPhora Foundation.  iPhora Foundation's ability to manage and strictly control access to documents - or parts of documents - enables businesses to confidently sign critical and time-sensitive forms. Phora Group will be demonstrating this new DocuSign integration capability with iPhora Foundation at the MWLUG 2017 conference, booth #8 at Alexandria, VA , August 8

Posted August 4, 2017 - By Louise Burton - Communication Phora Group is pleased to announce iPhora Async, a secure, asynchronous, event-driven add-on to iPhora Foundation, Phora Group's primary application platform for collaboration and business process management (BPM). iPhora Async allows organizations to integrate external cloud-based services into their core business processes in a secure and controlled environment. iPhora Async extends Phora Group's commitment to providing highly secure solutions combined with efficient and innovative user interface design. About Phora Group Phora Group is a provider of secure business solutions for small to enterprise organizations. Your company data and processes are critical to the operation of your business. Whether your organization is looking to share sensitive and proprietary information among your staff and partners or seeking to automate complex business processes, Phora Group's solutions are designed to provide your

As members of the IT community, we are also an important part of our local community. Through the MWLUG 2017 Community Outreach Program, we are raising money for organizations that help the local community. Each year we identify an organization in which our contribution would have the greatest impact on the local community of the host city. Thanks to the generosity of the Hilton Mark Center, we will be raffling off a weekend stay at the Hilton Mark Center as the grand prize. Please take the opportunity to help the local community. Each raffle ticket is $10 and you can buy them at the registration desk starting Tuesday afternoon. We will announce the winners during lunch on Thursday. Over the years we have raised over $12,000 for a number of local food banks, the Salvation Army, and Swan Song. We are pleased to announce the MWLUG 2017 Community Outreach Beneficiary is Hands on DC, a non-profit organization that organizes projects to improve the physical condition of Washington, DC p

If you are traveling to the Reagan International Airport  to the Hilton Mark Center remember there is a free shuttle.  Here is the shuttle schedule: National Airport/Pentagon City Mall & Metro The Hilton Alexandria Mark Center offers a complimentary shuttle service 7 days a week from 6:00 am. to 10:30 pm. The vans depart from the front of the Hotel on the hour and half hour, arrive at Pentagon City Mall/Metro (blue and yellow line) at approximately 10 minutes and 40 minutes after the hourand continue on to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Our last pick up at Pentagon City at approximately 10:40 pm. The van arrives at the airport at approximately 20 minutes and 50 minutes after the hour. We pick up at Terminal A, Terminal B door 5 and Terminal C door 9. Our last pick up at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is at approximately 10:50 pm. King Street King Street Metro Station The Hilton Alexandria Mark Center offers complimentary shuttle service to King Street

I wrote this blog post about 9 months ago and never got around to finishing it. I felt this would be a good time to post this since MWLUG 2017 is coming up and with the Domino Application Development Roundtables at MWLUG 2017 both customers and partners have the opportunity to voice their desires on how they want IBM to move forward with IBM Domino. As an long time IBM Business Partner and ISV focused on the IBM Domino platform, we have been quite disappointed with the progress and improvements made to IBM Domino over the past 7 years.  As other platforms improved and grew there was not much progress with our favorite platform. However, we were committed in staying with the IBM Domino platform for NOW because it provided a number of unique features that was important to us. So we ventured out to see if we could modernize IBM Domino to match what we were seeing in other platforms and create a modern application development platform but at the same time maintain and exceed the secure e

IBM Domino is nearing its 30th anniversary and yet it is still one of the most innovative software products on the market with features still not found in other solutions. Want to discuss with IBM your thoughts on how we can continue to make Domino one of the most relevant product for the next 30 years? We are please to announce that MWLUG 2017 will be hosting two Domino Application Development Roundtables on Wednesday August 9, 2017.  Each roundtable session will be 45 minutes. There is one for IBM customers and one for IBM Business Partners. Share your thoughts regarding the future directions of IBM Domino with Gary Kearney and Barry Rosen and their IBM Domino team at these interactive sessions. Registration for MWLUG 2017 is open. With all the new innovations that IBM and IBM Business Partners are creating with our favorite technologies, our theme for MWLUG 2017 is "Moving Collaboration Forward." MWLUG 2017 Registration Meet Ytria, our Gold Sponsor for MWLUG 2

The agenda for MWLUG 2017 is now available online,  http://mwlug.com/mwlug/mwlug2017.nsf/schedule.xsp .   MWLUG 2017 includes 59 technical and business sessions, workshops, and roundtable discussions presented by some of the best speakers in the ICS community including more than 20 IBM Champions.  This is the most comprehensive conference we have ever had.  MWLUG 2017 covers a variety of important topics including: Big Data and Graphic Databases Connections Pink Data Management and Security IBM Collaboration with Cisco IBM Cloud IBM Domino and IBM Connections Administration IBM Verse Innovation and Integration with IBM Domino and IBM Connections Java Loopback.io MongoDB Node REST API UX and UI Design Watson Workspace Web Security Web Accessibility ... and much more So don't miss this unique one time opportunity to learn, network and extend your commitment and interest in the ICS community. There is still time to register for MWLUG 2017. MWLUG 2017 Reg

MWLUG 2017 sessions are now available on the MWLUG 2017 web site, http://mwlug.com/mwlug/mwlug2017.nsf/sessions.xsp This year we have a great line up of both new and previous speakers with sessions covering the gambit of IBM solutions including IBM Domino, IBM Notes, IBM Verse/VOP, IBM Connections, IBM Cloud, and Watson Workspace along with IBM Pink. In tuned with our theme, "Moving Collaboration Forward" we have many sessions covering some of the latest technologies and how to use those technologies with the IBM portfolio of products including: Angular Docker Loopback.io MongoDB Node REST API Vue.js Web Security and Hacking There are more sessions coming.  There is still time to register for this unique user group event. So get registered as soon as you can since this event is limited to a specific number of attendees. http://mwlug.com/mwlug/mwlug2017.nsf/register.xsp Learn how our Gold Sponsor Cisco is working with IBM to create a first class coll

Announcing one of two workshops at MWLUG 2017. Our Platinum Sponsor, panagenda is having a workshop on Tuesday morning on August 8, 2017 from 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM, "IBM Domino Application Transformation Jumpstart". This free workshop covers a number of important topics including ApplicationInsights which is now shipped with Domino. To register for this workshop go to:  https://www.panagenda.com/news-events/events/ibm-domino-application-transformation-jumpstart/

We are starting process of reviewing all the abstract submissions for MWLUG 2017.  We received close to 80 submissions. Thank you to all the submitters for taking the time to submit their abstracts. I would like to introduce Dave Navarre, our local representative from the Washington DC area.  He would like to welcome you to his town.

For MWLUG 2017 we have a new presentation track, Watson Work.  This track will include presentations on Watson Workspace and Work Services.  So stay tuned for more information on many new things coming to MWLUG 2017

Due to the holidays and request from a number of potential speakers, abstract submission for MWLUG 2017 has been extended to June 2, 2017, 6:00 PM CST.  So if you are planning to submit an abstract for MWLUG 2017, you have another extra week.  But don't wait to the last minute !!! To submit go to:  http://mwlug.com/mwlug/mwlug2017.nsf/sessionabstract.xsp

Abstract Submission for MWLUG 2017 closes this Friday, May 26, 2017 at 5:00 PM CDT. So get your abstracts in as soon as you can. Are you new to speaking? Well here is your chance to speak at a conference on a topic that you know well. Every year we reserve a number of speaking slots for new speakers. So take this unique opportunity to speak at a MWLUG conference and submit an abstract. To submit your abstract go to:  http://mwlug.com/mwlug/mwlug2017.nsf/sessionabstract.xsp We look forward to getting everyone's abstract.

At the beginning of this week, I was fortunate enough to attend Engage 2017. This was the first time that I had not only presented at Engage, but also attended Engage.  Theo does an amazing job in creating this premier event.  The turnout for my session, "Unleash the Power of REST APIs with Dojo"  was more than I expected. It has been awhile since I was in Europe.  So I took a couple days off before Engage to visit Amsterdam which I have never been to and a couple days after Engage to visit Belgium.  Amsterdam, though it has a lot of history, I found it too much of a tourist trap.  After the first day, I wandered off to the outskirt of the city where there were less tourist and had great time.  I got the Amsterdam Card and got into most of the museums and places at no additional cost.  I was able to ride the metro and trams with this card at no extra charge.  However, it does not work for some buses.  The lockers in Amsterdam station are great for tourist to leave their lug

MWLUG 2017 mark the ninth annual ICS user group conference that we as a community are coming together to network and learn for each other.  It will be held at the beautiful Hilton Mark Center in Alexandria, VA near Washington DC from August 8 - 10, 2017. Like always we are planning many activities at MWLUG. Unlike previous years, MWLUG 2017 will be held from Tuesday through Thursday rather than the previous years where the conference was held from Wednesday until Friday.  This was one of the feedback that we receive last year. Our ICS community is in a state of transition as the market is changing and new technologies are introduced not just by IBM but from open source environment and other technology vendors.  No one vendor can silo themselves within their own technology.  Users are looking for the best breed.  IBM has answered this call with new solutions derived from open source technology like Docker, MongoDB, and Node. However as the same time, these new technologies also re

For the first time, I will be attending Engage 2017 in Antwerp, Belgium.  It has been awhile since I have been in Europe and it will be nice to take a few days to visit Amsterdam and Belgium and then see many friends and colleagues at Engage.  Phora Group is a Bronze Sponsor and I will be speaking on my favorite subject, Dojo/MVC/REST. My presentation is entitled "Unleash the Power of REST APIs with Dojo"  I have 22 demos that walks attendees through the process of creating a number of commonly used controllers, implementing data binding and react in Dojo. Then, we will combine all what we have learned with IBM Domino REST services and other open source projects to create a dynamic interface that we would not expect with Domino and Dojo. Theo mentioned that there is still a few available attendee slots left.  So take the opportunity to come to Engage 2017, learn and network.  See everyone soon.

If you have developed with XPages, this might have been your first experience with the Dojo framework.  However, for many the experience have been frustrating and negative. Unfortunately, IBM's implementation of Dojo into XPages was limited and really restricted the potential of Dojo. It never implemented the newer AMD design approach nor the many of the capabilities of Dojo. Many developers who went towards the JavaScript Framework/REST approach with Domino implemented Angular, React, and even Vue for interfacing to the Domino server and bypassed frameworks like Dojo.  One of the big buzzwords for these newer frameworks is react and single/two-way data binding. As a designer and developer who uses Dojo to create UIs  that work with RESTful APIs /Domino, it is frustrating to see all this attention to Angular and React when all the cool things they are known for has been in Dojo for years and in many ways before these frameworks. Recently, I presented a session called "Un

For the past five years, we have been using a Notes-client base tool called iPhora Application Designer, that we created to build our iPhora applications written for our Dojo-based iPhora-MVC platform. This tool is written entirely in LotusScript and @Formula language. With this tool we compile the  XML/JS view code into pure JavaScript onto a targeted application server all without opening Domino Designer.  Rarely do we venture into using Domino Designer. We only use Domino Designer to enhance our tool or fix a bug. Since this tool is Notes-client based, a key advantage of this tool is the ability to replicate every day our code to a backup server and when we are at home we can replicate to our computer at home. Currently, our JavaScript MVC platform has over a 1,000,000 lines of Dojo/Javascript code and it grows every day as we add new widgets and modules. Majority of the code is automatically generated by our iPhora Application Designer. Can not imagine generating the code manua