HCLTech retools legacy IBM software to chase govt deals

The IT major is adding heft to Domino with AI-led features and data sovereignty tools

- Jas Bardia

Even years after HCL Technologies Ltd bought Domino from IBM, it is expecting big business from the software product after giving it a facelift.

The country's third-largest IT outsourcer bought Domino and seven other software products from IBM in 2018 as the company sought to enter the software products business.

HCLTech's move is aimed at seeking more government contracts with a software product that has stood the test of time. It follows Tata Consultancy Services Ltd's bid to land more government contracts after the launch of a sovereign cloud network, or cloud solutions for governments, in April.

On 27 August, HCLTech told stock exchanges that the recent launch of its HCL Domino 14.5 software was critical in addressing "the most pressing security concerns by guaranteeing data residency within national borders and eliminating service disruption risks from enterprise solution providers".

An email sent to HCLTech on Wednesday went unanswered.

This wasn't just a routine release. It was a signal to over 400 government clients that Domino, despite its age, is evolving to meet modern demands.