IBM Lotus and relational databases

IBM Lotus and relational databases

In practice, Lotus Notes/Domino often exist in heterogeneous environments in which one or multiple systems of relational databases are used together. In this case, it is necessary to make these systems communicate to one another.

Even though the Lotus Notes/Domino platform treats the information in a different way than 'classic' relational databases, there are several ways of linking a relational system (DB2, MS SQL, Oracle...) to a Notes/Domino environment.

EASI has extended expertise in this area because with almost every implementation of our solutions with our customers, our solution needs to be linked to such a system, to synchronize data in a Notes/Domino application, for example (e.g. adding or editing data with Notes in a relational database, synchronizing customer files...) or to allow simple 'read only' access (e.g. for showing a list of due invoices of a certain customer, showing the amount of available stock...).

Based on your needs, we can agree on which method is most efficient to link your systems together:

Customized developments

•	It's possible to develop manual or computerized routines that are linked to an external database (DB2, Oracle...). These developments are done in LotusScript or Java so it will be the Lotus Notes/Domino application that will provide the logic of data synchronization. To obtain this, we use various connector possibilities like DECS (Domino Enterprise Connection Services), OLEDB or ODBC.
•	If you want the external system to 'start' the synchronization, this is called development in your external application's code language (C++, Java, .Net...) that will use the API's of Lotus Notes/Domino or that will extract the data from your Lotus Notes/Domino applications by means of developed web services.
•	By working with customized developments, you have the advantage of having the applications cover over 95% of your initial needs. On the other hand, the further maintenance of these developments will become your own responsibility and you will have to make sure that your developments keep functioning when you upgrade to a newer version of Notes/Domino, Oracle, DB2... Commonly, specific customized developments are not very reusable, even if you later have interconnection issues with other applications.

EASI Data Integration Tool (DIT)

•	Based on or many years' experience with concrete projects, we have decided to develop our own synchronization tool, that is pragmatic and accessible. This because we had found that most of our projects needed functionalities that were expensive in customized development, but are really not complex enough to justify the use of LEI (see below).
•	EASI DIT answers the 'simple' synchronization needs of synchronizing data from Notes/Domino to DB2, Oracle, MS SQL... or vice versa. The data is pushed (pull or push) from one system to the other or synchronized by means of a common key in both systems. Everyone with a basic knowledge of developments can easily define these connections (system, login, database...) and actions (transfer, synchronization...).
•	By using this type of solution, you can cover the majority of your needs while avoiding the great costs and greater risk linked to technological evolutions: EASI DIT plays the part of middleware and allows the systems to constantly communicate with each other. If new synchronization needs emerge, you can simply create new tasks in this tool without having to perform new specific developments.

IBM Lotus Enterprise Integrator

•	IBM Lotus Enterprise Integrator (LEI) is an advanced solution by IBM to allow making all the necessary connections from and to your Notes/Domino environment. This system offers, just like EASI DIT does, the opportunity to configure synchronization between different relational systems as a non-developer.
•	On top, LEI provides advanced functions: real time synchronization, virtualization of admission rights, advanced triggers, specific connectors to environments such as SAP, specific, powerful connectors to gain 'native' access to systems like Oracle, DB2...
•	Every system has both advantages and disadvantages, like EASI DIT, a middleware solution that will allow you to easily cover your needs concerning interconnection of different environments. Its model is also flexible, meaning that it will allow you, without great costs, to keep supporting evolutions and new demands in your company. Considering the entire functionality, it's safe to say that this tool will cover nearly all current and future needs in this area.