What user advantages to change from Lotus Notes to Outlook 2013?

[fuddam]

Got a client who's decided to jump ship from Lotus, after using it for over 10yrs. While most users will be happy to do so, they want me to sell it to the users. I don't currently use Outlook 2013 but have just installed it, and never use Lotus.

Anything you can think of that makes Outlook more attractive? Unique features?

I googled this topic and got all the tech reasons for going either way Lotus <===> Outlook but nothing much in terms of user-related stuff, other than people are used to Outlook.

Any feedback appreciated

[scaryjim]

Outlook is simply streets ahead in terms of usability compared to Notes (unless Lotus have made huge strides in the last 10 years, that is). The best way might just be to take in a laptop running outlook and let them see for themselves. I can't imagine many people wanting to use Notes again after they've had a chance to play with Outlook.

[TheAnimus]

They will stop stabbing themselves in the forehead with a rusty ice pick.

[malfunction]

Notes is horrible. If they're only using it for e-mail then I'd be amazed if anyone objected to moving away from Notes. It's bloated, slow and buggy.

You might find there are lots of little database applications lying around that use Notes and replacing those will probably be trickier - you'll likely get a "if it ain't broke don't fix it" message from some folks if they're using the wider capabilities of Notes (this doesn't mean it isn't horrible still, just that there might be more effort involved in the migration / getting people on side).

[herulach]

notes is a mediocre email client, with a mediocre calendar and a horrendous intranet lite type solution. If i had the choice I'd drop it in a second. Outlook gets you a better mail client & calender, and then depending what other features get turned on, full office integration (outlook & sharepoint is awesome).

It also gets you web access and better mobile support (i.e. it exists!).

[jim]

Everything.

Lotus makes me want to spray-paint my screen black. The UI feels like something out of the dark ages, let alone the 90s, and every menu is incredibly fiddly and illogical. Nothing is where you expect it to be, and inevitably yet another options menu jumps out at the last minute.

For me,

Outlook>Gmail>Carrier Pigeons>Lotus.

[jim]

I don't currently use Outlook 2013 but have just installed it, and never use Lotus.

Actually, this is the key. Use it. You won't forget it. Thereafter, you will have no problem selling Outlook.

[Domestic_Ginger]

Lotus notes is at least a decade behind; we had it at work. It was almost impossible to search for emails and would order by first name instead of second. I think its stuck using its own accessability where as outlook is windows and has that familar feel making people happy.

[amylee]

If you are thinking how to convert .nsf file to .pst then it’s time to stop thinking and start reacting because Outlook have more advantages over Lotus Notes. Outlook has simple GUI and doesn't need to pay heavy technical maintenance cost. Use External tool to convert Lotus Notes to Outlook. "Export Notes" is the safest and easiest way to migrate NSF to PST.
Key features of this application:
1. Remove Message Encryption.
2. Folder to Folder Mapping.
3. Preserve HTML Formatting, RTF and Metadata.

[young_one]

If you are thinking how to convert .nsf file to .pst then it’s time to stop thinking and start reacting because Outlook have more advantages over Lotus Notes. Outlook has simple GUI and doesn't need to pay heavy technical maintenance cost. Use External tool to convert Lotus Notes to Outlook. "Export Notes" is the safest and easiest way to migrate NSF to PST.
Key features of this application:
1. Remove Message Encryption.
2. Folder to Folder Mapping.
3. Preserve HTML Formatting, RTF and Metadata.

I love a good random product advert in a thread...

I must be in the minority, as I quite liked Notes at my previous employer, admittedly though they were one of the worlds largest users and spent a lot of time and money developing it to work just the way they wanted.

Whenever I read these types of thread for outlook/exchange vs Notes/Domino it always tends to be horses for courses. The biggest advantage for end users is the one you already know, familiarity with the Office suite.

Since this thread was resurrected by the advert above, how did the transition go?

[fuddam]

They changed, they be happy. I developed some video-based elearning material, which got them all excited, and helped prompt them to consider global update, rather than just regional (UK). Now a global rollout.

Then some nice person took over as my liaison at the company, a passive-aggressive type, and wrote me out of the scene. Not amused, but what can you do? She didn't like the material, and got one of her cronies outside the company to supply new material, and she isn't even a decision maker herself, just a temp HR person while my original contact is on maternity leave.

Politics........

I usually am above it since I contract, but this time got stuffed nastily. Not around to defend myself, and she's there all the time.

ho hum.

[Zak33]

They will stop stabbing themselves in the forehead with a rusty ice pick.

this.. but with bells