Product Questions

Q: What is Domino Off-Line Services and what does it do?

The simple answer is that Domino Off-Line Services (DOLS) empowers browser users with full-fidelity offline usage of Domino Web applications. The DOLS Server Kit includes the developer and administrative tools needed to augment existing Domino Web applications to employ revolutionary Lotus iNotes elements (also contained in the DOLS kit). These augmentation elements allow end-users to use a browser to download and run the Domino Web application locally on a client machine, off-loading processing to the client and even allowing fully disconnected or "offline" use! The end-users' experience with an offline application - that is, the ability to compose, edit, delete, sort, search, trigger agents and mail, and so on - is almost the same as the experience using the online version. Any changes made to the offline application are synchronized with the online application using secure replication protocols. The synchronization between the applications can be started in the Lotus iNotes Sync Manager, a simple utility that end-users get when they download for the first time. This utility supports scheduling and filtering, bringing the power of Notes replication into the web-world while retaining browser-style simplicity.

Q: What is the Lotus iNotes Sync Manager?

The Lotus iNotes Sync Manager is a component of Lotus iNotes that enables the end user to synchronize and to set application replication options. When a user first chooses to "Go Offline" with a Web site that has been DOLS-enabled (often by clicking a control in a frame that says "Go Offline"), the user not only brings the application offline as a subscription but also installs Lotus iNotes Sync Manager on the local machine, if it is not already installed. Lotus iNotes Sync Manager lets the user maintain a list of all the subscriptions that can be used offline. A user can then choose to synchronize to any Domino Web application for which they have a subscription. The user can also view information about the synchronization. For instance, the current status of the synchronization, a list of synchronization errors, and so on. For existing Notes users, synchronizing is very similar to replicating in the Notes client. If download time is an issue, Lotus iNotes Sync Manager can also be manually installed from a CD.

Q: How is DOLS installed?

Adding DOLS to a Domino server involves a simple installation. This installation provides a "kit" - that is, a database of utilities and instructions - to guide the Web site developer and administrator as they enable a Domino Web application for offline use. The Web site developer and administrator decide on security settings and also copy design elements into the application being enabled for offline use.

Q: How does a browser user download a DOLS-enabled application?

A. When a browser user accesses a DOLS-enabled application an offline option is visible. When the user clicks on this offline option an iNotes ActiveX control/Plug-in downloads the Lotus iNotes Sync Manager, required to run the application offline, along with the Domino Web application data and logic of the web site. The user has some simple options for controlling replication schedule and parameters, such as the maximum age of documents to be downloaded or whether to have scheduled or active replication (See "What is the Lotus iNotes Sync Manager?" for additional information).

Q: What is installed on the Server?

On the server, a "Security and Guidelines" database called DOLADMIN.NSF, as well as a configuration template called DOLRES.NTF, ActiveX and Plug-in files, and compressed installer files containing various Notes DLLs for services like replication and the HTTP stack are installed.

Q: What is installed on the Client?

On the client, the Lotus iNotes Sync Manager is installed. The Lotus iNotes Sync Manager is technically ActiveX/Plug-in files that get rendered by a browser, copy themselves to the end-user's machine, then bring down the compressed installer files, uncompress them, and install the necessary drivers. Finally, the DOLS-enabled Domino Web application is downloaded.

Q: How large is the client install program?

A. The DOLS install executable is about 24MB. The installation requires a minimum of 83 MB. In addition, the DOLS-enabled application may require more or less space, depending on the size of the application and the amount of data which the end user selects to download.

Q. Does DOLS only take data offline?

A. No. Users replicate the data, the application logic and the security context, all seamlessly integrated. In that regard, they have the most up to date application, not just data. Moreover, access level nuances are all still fully enforced (e.g. reader vs. vs. author vs. editor), making the entire offline application experience the same as on-line.

Q. Can DOLS take "Multiple database" applications offline?

A. Yes. But your application must be modified by you to use "relative" rather than absolute URLs and paths.

Q: How does DOLS security work?

When the ActiveX/Plug-in first downloads the application, it also autogenerates, downloads, or finds a Notes ID file for the user . This Notes ID is used for all replications. All benefits from the well-known and firetested Notes security model then are derived, such as the inability to replicate elements from the server which one would not have rights to, the inability to make changes to documents to which one does have at least editor access, etc.

Q: What about local encryption?

With the first release of DOLS a user's local application is NOT encryptable. However data is downloaded across a secure channel, and a log-in/password is required before changes are replicated to the server. This is richer security than any other remote Web mechanism. For richer capabilities, you should use the Notes client.

Q: Give me an example of how someone may use DOLS?

A sales rep for a manufacturing firm visits a customer and, while disconnected from her intranet, is able to access a sales order application with her browser. She checks inventory data, 'loaded' earlier in the day, to confirm product availability, after which she places an order for the customer. Following the meeting, the rep quickly updates a sales tracking application and writes an email to her product manager concerning some customer comments. Once the rep has returned to her home office, she reconnects to the intranet, and replicates the sales order, the sales tracking information, as well as her email.

Marketing Questions

Q: How is DOLS related to Lotus iNotes?

DOLS includes the developer toolkit and server-side tasks required for a Web browser to remotely access Domino applications. Lotus iNotes is a new brand introduced at Lotusphere 2000. This brand represents the ability for Lotus customers to obtain remote access to Domino applications and information. iNotes enables access via a number of different client types. For access via a Web browser, the Lotus iNotes Sync Manager, a component of Lotus iNotes, provides remote access to DOLS-enabled Domino applications. For more general Lotus iNotes information, refer to http://www.lotus.com/iNotes as more information will be provided around this new Lotus brand.

Q: What is the price of DOLS?

There is no additional fee for DOLS. However, you do need Lotus iNotes to access DOLS-enabled applications. Lotus iNotes can be purchased in one of two ways. First, via the Domino CAL, which now includes Domino access via Lotus iNotes. The price for the Domino CAL has recently been increased to accommodate the additional functionality of Lotus iNotes and Lotus iNotes users must follow the same rules as other CALS users. The other option is for those who want to create a Web site and are unsure whether users of that Web site will be covered with a Domino CAL. For this situation, you can purchase a Lotus' Intranet/Extranet option. This option enables user to be covered s for one flat rate and allows visitors to their DOLS-enabled Web site to be covered. This model provides unlimited coverage.

Q: How is DOLS related to Weblicator?

Lotus Weblicator is no longer a shipping supported product. It was a previous generation of similar technology from Lotus, but there the similarities end.

With Lotus Weblicator, you downloaded Web pages to your local machine for read-only disconnected use. DOLS is much more dynamic. With DOLS, you use a browser to download a personalized copy of a fully functional Domino Web application. You can then use your browser to interact with the application offline (create, edit, delete, index, search, sort documents, etc.) and then replicate the changes to the Web application on the server. Workflow, multilevel security, agents, all can operate to full fidelity in this personal offline copy. A far cry from locally cached read-only pages!

Q: What is the difference between QuickPlace and DOLS?

Lotus QuickPlace is a Web-based teamware application that lets users create an instant shared workspace - a QuickPlace - on the Internet or their corporate intranet where team members can centrally communicate, share, and manage and organize information, documents and schedules around any project or initiative. DOLS technology is included in QuickPlace and allows the QuickPlace solution to run offline.

Q. How does a DOLS solution differ from the Notes client?

A. In a word: Integration. Though the ability to access offline data in the Notes client and DOLS-enabled applications are virtually identical, there are immediately apparent and compelling advantages of a Notes client over a browser. For example, whereas Notes provides an integrated solution for Mail, Calendaring & Scheduling, Address Book, etc. a browser requires multiple applications, each with a separate, independent interface. Cut/Paste between the browsers is extremely poor and represents the limit of integration between several DOLS-powered browser applications. By contrast, the Notes client can easily transfer hundreds of rich-text documents between applications, or forward using email or doclinks, all with a few easy keystrokes. Further, with Notes certain frequently performed tasks, such as issuing out-of-office email notifications or alarms, may be automated, a feature unavailable in browsers.

Product Requirements

Q: Which platforms does DOLS 1.0 support?

A: The first release of DOLS supports Win32 platforms. Plans to port DOLS to OS/2 have also been announced and will be available 90 days from the first release. Other platforms are being considered so refer to the DOLS Web site at http://www.lotus.com/offlineservices for more information.

Q: Which browsers does DOLS support

A. DOLS 1.0 supports Internet Explorer 4.0 and above and Netscape Navigator 4.5 and above.

Q: What are the product localization plans for DOLS?

A. The first release can be distributed to a worldwide audience; however the product UI will be in English. Localizing the DOLS components is planned for later this year. We will post up-to-date product plans and information on the Web site at http://www.lotus.com/offlineservices.

Q: What about DOLS and Windows 2000?

DOLS 1.0 is not yet certified to run on Windows 2000