NOTES channels are used to provide a connection between PMDF and the DEC NOTES utility. DEC NOTES is a proprietary product of Hewlett-Packard Company; it is not a part of PMDF. This connection currently only works in one direction: mail messages will be registered as notes in DEC NOTES but DEC NOTES messages are not exported back out to PMDF.

NOTES channels try to convert mail messages into a format that is as close to a true NOTES posting as possible. In particular, options are provided to remove header information from messages or place it at the end of the posting. The NOTES channel program also attempts to group messages about a common subject into what DEC NOTES expects to see: a single original note with followup notes attached.