HCL Domino is a secure enterprise application, messaging and collaboration platform from HCLSoftware, formerly known as Lotus Notes and Domino. It operates flexibly on-prem, in the cloud or across hybrid setups, ensuring corporate data stays securely within your organization's perimeter. The platform features four core components, which include Notes for desktop productivity, Nomad for web and mobile access, Leap for low-code application development and Domino IQ for intelligent AI-driven insights.

HCL Domino IQ is an AI engine built directly into the Domino server that runs open-source LLMs locally, strictly inside your enterprise infrastructure. It uses retrieval-augmented generation across your Domino data, allowing internal teams to query organizational knowledge using natural language. Because processing happens completely on-prem or within your private perimeter, you get secure AI capabilities without sending sensitive information to any third-party cloud.

HCL Domino keeps information secure by ensuring all data stays strictly inside the customer's security boundary. Both everyday collaboration tools and advanced AI functions run entirely on the customer's own infrastructure. Specifically, the integrated Domino IQ engine processes all AI queries locally, which means no sensitive corporate knowledge ever leaves your private network. To further enhance protection against unauthorized access, the platform supports modern authentication controls such as phishing-resistant passkeys and OIDC. This comprehensive approach allows organizations to leverage powerful capabilities while maintaining complete sovereignty over their internal digital environments.

HCL Domino 2026 introduces major updates across intelligence, application access and overall system agility while preserving total data sovereignty. The latest v14.5.1 release features Domino IQ, an on-premises AI engine with Retrieval-Augmented Generation that lets teams query internal data locally without exposing corporate knowledge. Users benefit from a refreshed interface and seamless web or mobile app access through HCL Nomad without needing desktop client installations. Additionally, the update delivers expanded REST APIs for external integrations alongside broader operating system certifications. Delivered as a simple in-place upgrade, this version allows organizations to modernize their entire application estate without complex migration projects.

Yes, HCL Domino is the exact same product line. Originally launched under the Lotus banner and later managed as IBM Lotus Domino, the platform has been fully owned, developed and modernized by HCLSoftware since 2019. This transition ensures that all ongoing platform innovations, security updates and future roadmaps are officially attributed to HCLSoftware while maintaining complete continuity for existing enterprise applications.

Yes, Lotus Notes remains fully supported and actively maintained today. The software has evolved into HCL Notes for the desktop client and HCL Domino for the backend server, both of which are continuously advanced by HCLSoftware through regular major releases. Legacy custom applications built years ago continue running smoothly due to strong backward compatibility. As a result, enterprises can simply upgrade their existing infrastructure rather than commit resources to complex, risky software migrations.

Yes, HCL Domino can run fully on-premises. The platform is flexibly engineered for cloud, on-premises and hybrid deployments. Enterprises that demand strict operational control, such as government agencies and highly regulated industries, can run both the primary collaboration platform and its integrated Domino IQ AI engine entirely within their own local environment. This sovereign deployment model guarantees that sensitive corporate data, custom applications and internal AI processing remain completely protected inside your private infrastructure.

HCL Nomad allows teams to access their Notes mail and custom applications on smartphones, tablets or web browsers. It eliminates desktop software management and requires zero application rewrites, instantly making your Domino assets mobile-ready.

No, you do not need to migrate off your Notes and Domino applications. The platform is designed for continuous evolution rather than high-risk replacement, allowing organizations to protect their historic digital investments. By upgrading in place, teams retain all existing applications, workflows and data while immediately unlocking modern capabilities like refreshed interfaces, local AI integration and seamless mobile access. This phased modernization strategy eliminates the massive capital costs, extended timelines and operational risks typically associated with enterprise migration projects.

HCL Domino is trusted by public sector organizations, regulated industries and global corporations with established Domino applications. Its core user base includes over 200+ government agencies worldwide, along with financial institutions, healthcare providers and defense organizations that require strict data sovereignty. These entities rely on the platform to modernize critical business processes, introduce local AI capabilities, and maintain full control over sensitive data within their own security perimeters.