IBM Notes 9.x Applications Web Enabled.
Secure web access for mission-critical IBM Notes applications.
The Challenge
The client relied on several long-standing Lotus Notes 9.x client applications that were central to daily operations. While functionally robust and secure, dependence on the Notes desktop client restricted flexibility, limited remote access, and made integration with newer workflows increasingly difficult.
Replacing the applications was not an option. They contained complex, bespoke business logic and operated within a tightly controlled security model that the organisation trusted. The challenge was to modernise access and usability without disrupting established processes, weakening security controls, or introducing compliance risk.
Cyber Security Company
Regulated Environment
Business-Critical Systems
The Solution
Migr8IT designed and delivered fully web-enabled versions of all three integrated Lotus Notes applications by introducing a modern web layer built with standards-based web components, while retaining the existing Notes client applications.
This allowed the organisation to modernise access and usability without forcing an immediate change to established working practices.
The web layer provided browser-based access across devices, while the Notes client remained fully supported for users and scenarios where it was still required. Both interfaces operated against the same Domino data and security model, ensuring consistency, auditability, and data integrity.
Application logic was refactored to separate presentation from business rules, making the systems easier to support and extend over time. All encryption, access controls, and compliance safeguards remained in place, preserving the trusted Domino backbone.
This phased modernisation approach reduced risk, avoided disruption, and gave the business flexibility to transition users at its own pace.
This approach demonstrates the value of true Domino specialists, modernising critical systems without breaking what already works. The result is progress without disruption, and confidence at every stage.
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Making our Lotus Notes applications available through a web browser is a huge gain for us
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Strategic Benefits
ACCELERATED MODERNISATION WITHOUT DISRUPTION
By translating years of embedded functionality into clean, browser-based interfaces, Migr8IT enabled the client to modernise rapidly while avoiding the cost, risk, and uncertainty of a full platform migration.
EXTENDED LIFE OF CORE BUSINESS SYSTEMS
The project revitalised three essential Lotus Notes applications, giving them a modern, web layer and significantly extending their operational lifespan.
REDUCED OPERATIONAL COMPLEXITY
Removing the dependency on Lotus Notes client installations simplified support, improved accessibility, and reduced the organisation’s technical overhead.
Business Impact
access from anywhere at any time
Users no longer depend entirely on RDP sessions or the Lotus Notes client, cutting login delays and enabling immediate access from any device.
MAINTAINED SECURITY controls
By retaining Domino on the back end, the client preserved its trusted, proven, and highly granular security controls, avoiding the need to re-engineer or reassess compliance frameworks.
HIGHER USER ADOPTION
A cleaner, more familiar web interface reduces training overhead and minimises the volume of user support issues tied to the old client environment.
No business interruption
The modernisation was delivered without any outages or business interruption.
Measureable Outcomes
3
Integrated Lotus Notes client apps web enabled
100%
Custom functionality and
security maintained
60%
Faster application access times
Compared to Notes client and RDP-based access
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'Domino web app development' actually mean?
It means taking your existing Lotus Notes applications and giving them a modern, browser-based interface without removing Domino from the equation. The data stays in Domino, but the front-end becomes faster, cleaner, mobile-friendly, and easier for users to work with.
Do we have to rewrite our Domino applications to use a modern web interface?
No. Most of the time we build a modern web application layer on top of your existing Domino databases. That allows you to keep the business logic, data structures and security you're already using, while gaining a contemporary UI, improved workflows, and easier access for remote or mobile users. You also have the choice to continue to use the Notes client application and / or web version, should there be a need.
What technologies do you use to build these web apps?
We use open web technologies such as HTML5, CSS, JavaScript, jQuery, Boostrap, REST APIs, Vue/React frameworks and Domino’s HTTP/REST endpoints. This makes your Domino apps easier to support long-term, extend and integrate with other cloud services.
Does the data still live inside Domino?
Yes. The whole idea is to extend the life and value of Domino. The web app interacts with Domino through secure APIs, using your existing ACLs, Reader/Author fields and role-based security. Nothing bypasses your Domino protections.
Do modern web apps still retain Domino’s security model?
Yes 100%. One of Domino’s greatest strengths is its security architecture, and our web applications are designed to sit on top of that model rather than bypass it. The web layer communicates with Domino through secure APIs that fully respect your ACLs, Reader/Author fields, roles, and document-level access controls.
Users only see what they’re permitted to see in Domino; the web front-end never exposes data outside those boundaries. Authentication can remain Domino-native or be integrated but the underlying entitlement model still comes from Domino.
This gives you a modern, responsive, browser-based experience without sacrificing the granular, battle-tested security Domino is known for.
Will users need the Lotus Notes client anymore?
Not necessarily. Many organisations move entirely to browser-based access for day-to-day usage. The Notes client can remain available for niche workflows or admin tasks, but the majority of your users can work through the web interface. The main benefit of this approach is fewer support overheads for the Notes client.
Can we customise the UI and workflows the way we want?
Absolutely. A web front-end allows far more design freedom than the classic Notes client, dynamic forms, dashboards, improved validation, richer navigation, modern styling and responsive layouts. It’s a way to modernise your Domino applications without migrating away from the platform.
What are the support and maintenance benefits of a web-based Domino application?
A web app built with open standards is easier to maintain than classic Notes client forms and agents. Any modern web developer can work on the UI, and Domino handles the data, security and workflow logic underneath. This reduces reliance on scarce Notes developers and makes your application more future-proof.
Do we need to upgrade Domino before building the web layer?
Not always. We support a wide range of Domino versions. During discovery we assess your environment and advise whether an upgrade would improve performance, security or API capabilities, but it's not a mandatory requirement.
What’s the first step to modernise our Domino application?
We begin with a discovery phase where we review your existing Lotus Notes applications, its data, workflow logic and user needs. Then we design a modern web front-end that improves usability while keeping Domino as the stable, secure and proven backend that your business relies on.