Both have features that can separate them into two distinct tools for specific jobs. However it is the similarities of the two environments that can bring them together to become a very powerful tool. The future for Lotus Notes working with the Web will produce a strong medium for bringing automated working environments to everyone everywhere. Whether you have the power of a Notes Client or just a browser for the Web, Notes can become the back-end for any Web site to optimize it's performance, accuracy, and provide a wealth of information to the general public with the benefit of workflow automation. Web servers are springing up everywhere around the world.
More browsers are now available and new server software is being released with more functionality.
Secure versions of the protocols were created, and then online commerce was feasible and allowed secure credit card and direct to bank transactions. Today Netscape is one of the most popular software houses for Web servers, Web browsers, and secure commerce servers. Lotus Notes originated in 1985, and was starting to raise the eyebrows of many corporations by 1989. In 1993, Notes was looking like a viable application platform for automating work processes, and moving towards the paperless office. This is where the fight begins between the Web and Notes.