How IBM counts
by Volker Weber
Two months ago I asked How does IBM count? Now we have the answers.
Ed explains:
The number represents the number of discrete entities in IBM's Passport Advantage buying their first Notes or Domino license since the release of Notes/Domino 8 in August, 2007.
I made the mistake of assuming those would be new Passpport Advantage accounts, but that is not what he said. At Lotusphere 2009 IBM announced 12,236 new customers, this year 18,378. That makes it 6,142 since last year.
I also asked several people how IBM counts LotusLive licenses, but could not get to the bottom of it. I was wondering how many of those were LotusLive iNotes, the asset formerly known as Outblaze, and how many of the other offerings, but nobody would say. I have been told however that existing Outblaze accounts count towards the LotusLive tally.
Since Outblaze messaging is a white label, carrier grade service, that is also the basis for Ovi Mail, it should dwarf all other counts easily.
Comments
Yes, there is still some abiguity:
"The number represents the number of discrete entities in IBM's Passport Advantage buying their first Notes or Domino license since the release of Notes/Domino 8 in August, 2007."
This statement could mean one of two things:
A) the number of discrete entities since August 2007 that are buying their first Notes or Domino license (ever)
B) the number of discrete entities buying their first Notes/Domino license since August 2007 (though they may have bought some prior.)
I think the intention behind Ed's statement was A, though technically B is also accurate based on what he said. E.g. if I bought licenses in 2006, then ND8 shipped, and I then bought a license in 2010 then technically I just "bought my first license since ND8 shipped" and would be counted.
@Erik - My intention is A.
@Vowe They can be new NOTES customers but not new IBM customers. If they were new to Passport Advantage, they would be both new to Notes and new to IBM. That happens sometimes, but the count here is about organizations that are new to Notes whether or not they are new to IBM/Passport Advantage.
Thank you, Ed. Yes, that was the mistake I made in your comments.
