Lotus Software

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Lotus Symphony Reference Manual (1984)

MitchKapor

Lotus Software, formerly known as Lotus Development Corporation, was a software company with a significant impact on the development and evolution of personal computing and office software. Founded in 1982 by Mitch Kapor and Jonathan Sachs, Lotus Software became renowned for its innovative approach to software development, particularly in the realm of spreadsheet, collaboration, and email software. The company's flagship product, Lotus 1-2-3, was a pioneering force in the spreadsheet application market and played a crucial role in the widespread adoption of the IBM PC in the corporate environment.

History

Lotus Software's journey began in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where its founders aimed to create software that would enhance productivity for business users. The release of Lotus 1-2-3 in 1983 marked a significant milestone in the personal computing industry. Its integration of spreadsheet, graphics, and database management in a single package was revolutionary, setting a new standard for software applications. Lotus 1-2-3 quickly became the de facto standard for spreadsheet applications in the 1980s, propelling Lotus to the forefront of software companies.

In the following years, Lotus expanded its product line to include Lotus Notes, a pioneering product in the field of collaborative software and groupware. Developed by Ray Ozzie, Lotus Notes provided an integrated platform for email, calendaring, and document management, facilitating collaboration and communication within and between organizations. This product further solidified Lotus's position as an innovator in the software industry.

Throughout the 1990s, Lotus faced increasing competition from other software companies, notably Microsoft, which began to dominate the office software market with its Microsoft Office suite. Despite the competition, Lotus continued to innovate, focusing on collaboration and enterprise solutions.

In 1995, Lotus was acquired by IBM, marking the end of its independence but not its influence. Under IBM, Lotus Software continued to develop and enhance Lotus Notes and other collaborative and productivity tools, integrating them into IBM's broader software and services offerings.

Products

• Lotus 1-2-3: The first killer application for the IBM PC, combining spreadsheet, graphics, and database management.
• Lotus Notes: A leading collaborative software environment that includes email, calendaring, and document management.
• Lotus Domino: The server component of Lotus Notes, facilitating the creation and management of applications across a network.
• Lotus Symphony: A suite of office applications, including a word processor, spreadsheet, and presentation software, initially released in the 1980s and later revamped in the 2000s.

Acquisition by IBM

In 1995, IBM acquired Lotus for $3.5 billion, one of the largest software acquisitions at the time. This acquisition was seen as a strategic move by IBM to bolster its software and services portfolio, particularly in the areas of collaboration and enterprise productivity. Under IBM, Lotus's products, especially Lotus Notes and Domino, received significant investment and were integrated into IBM's broader offering of enterprise solutions.

Legacy

Lotus Software's legacy is evident in the continued use and development of its products, particularly Lotus Notes and Domino, which have evolved into HCL Notes and HCL Domino after being acquired by HCL Technologies from IBM in 2019. Lotus 1-2-3, while no longer in widespread use, is remembered as a product that transformed personal computing and business practices. Lotus's emphasis on collaboration and productivity paved the way for the development of modern collaborative platforms and enterprise solutions.