IBM Corp’s Internet plans are much less advanced, and all it could announce yesterday was what were in effect statements of direction to integrate the Lotus Development Corp unit’s Notes with IBM’s Internet products and services. The aim is to provide consultancy and professional services to make it easier for customers to connect to and use the Internet for competitive business advantage, while preserving their investment in the private, more secure network that Notes offers. The integrated offerings are being developed under the code name Spike, and will include a new server software package that includes Notes and InterNotes capabilities, IBM’s secure Internet server software and IBM’s gateway to the World Wide Web, and the package is to be available on a range of hardware, but no dates were given for anything. IBM also announced deals with Open Market Inc and Netscape Communications Corp to provide their software on the IBM Global Network.
