Lotus takes note of burgeoning ASP sector.

Lotus has begun restructuring its channel programme in the US to recruit application service providers (ASPs) for Lotus Notes.

Lotus has begun restructuring its channel programme in the US to recruit application service providers (ASPs) for Lotus Notes.

Although details on the restructure are yet to be finalised, Patricia Hume, vice-president of business partners at Lotus, claimed the changes are expected to enable the vendor to make inroads into the emerging ASP market and bring on board partners focused on the Web and application hosting.

Hume said: "Going through VARs is still important, but ASPs are starting to provide an alternative method. These are evolving markets that could become pivotal. We will start to recruit ASPs to stay competitive."

A Lotus UK representative could not confirm if the ASP recruitment drive would eventually be introduced here. However, more details are expected at Lotusphere, the vendor's user and partner event taking place in Florida this week. Hume added that details will be worked out throughout the year.

- Lotus has confirmed a Year 2000-related glitch in its Domino messaging software that can cause a machine to crash when a date conversion takes place. The company said it has identified a potential fix and will patch the bug in a future service upgrade. The problem occurs with dates after 2000 and before 1950, according to Lotus.