Novell Helps Companies Leverage Existing Technology to Improve Return on Investment

• Cambridge Technology Partners, Novell's eServices division, offers new Rapid Technology Rationalization solution
• Solution designed to identify immediate actions for customers to reduce costs, improve efficiency and free up IT resources
• Solution draws on Cambridge expertise in business processes and Novell experience in driving network efficiencies.

Novell, Inc., a leader in eBusiness solutions and Net services software, today announced the availability of its Rapid Technology RationalizationSM solution, a consulting service designed to help companies rapidly assess technology return on investment, reduce technology costs, and improve the efficiencies of existing systems. Focused on providing quick payback, Rapid Technology Rationalization (RTR) provides companies specific recommendations on immediate actions to save money on existing and planned IT investments. The RTR solution, to be delivered by Cambridge Technology Partners, Novell's eServices division, provides a thorough, systematic approach to assessing the efficiency of IT infrastructure and operations, including networks, hardware, applications, operations and user efficiency. The RTR solution draws on Cambridge's expertise in business process, user issues, and applications integration and Novell's unparalleled knowledge of network management

With the emergence of the Net, technology decisions have moved from IT departments to the boardroom, becoming a core business issue for most companies. Yet most firms have built up their infrastructure over time to address challenges on an ad hoc basis, leaving them with complex networks and a systems environment that is difficult and expensive to manage. Many companies find that they are constrained from investing in needed technologies because so much of their budget must be devoted to maintaining their existing infrastructure. With technology now such a major component of capital spending, this creates real challenges for business planning.

"Too many companies have been burned by thinking they have to have the latest cutting-edge technology to succeed," said Martin Deise, senior vice president of Solutions at Novell. "It makes much more business sense to leverage investments already made, to figure out ways to make what is in place work better for you. Rapid Technology Rationalization is aimed squarely at providing rapid, concrete recommendations on driving more business value - both in cost savings and efficiency - from the technology companies already have. Furthermore, a cost-reducing Rapid Technology Rationalization assessment may be one way to help fund the acquisition of those new technologies that really are necessary."

Rapid Technology Rationalization is designed to help businesses evaluate their technology investment on a comprehensive basis, identify what works and what doesn't, and drive improved returns on technology investments. Using data-driven metrics, best-in-class benchmarks, and expertise built from multiple customer engagements, Cambridge Technology Partners consultants can quickly and effectively help companies make better use of technology choices. Novell's significant experience in network management brings additional value to customers. With market-leading technologies for desktop management, cross-platform integration, and access and security technologies, Novell brings networking expertise to the RTR solution that few can match.

A savings of just 1 percent in the IT spend of a typical billion-dollar company will amount to upwards of $1 million. Preliminary Novell and Cambridge experience with these assessments and initial discussions with clients indicate that savings in the $10 million range will not be uncommon across the broad continuum of areas for cost reductions, including networks, hardware, applications, vendor management, data, desktop management, and operations.

"Bringing together Cambridge expertise in eBusiness processes and applications with Novell's deep understanding of networking gives us a powerful ability to look at a company's IT situation, understand the challenges faced, and come up with ways to meet those challenges effectively," said Stewart Nelson, executive vice president and chief operating officer at Novell. "This is a great illustration of how the combined expertise of Novell and Cambridge can bring new value to customers."

RTR is the third "Jump Start" solution offered by Novell, which are designed to leverage the combined strengths of Novell and Cambridge to bring value to customers rapidly. The first Jump Start solution, Novell® Identity Provisioning for PeopleSoft*, was launched in August 2001. The second, Novell Secure Partner Portal, was announced in November 2001.

About Novell

Novell, Inc. (NASDAQ: NOVL), is a leader in eBusiness solutions and Net services software designed to secure and power the networked world. Novell and its eServices division, Cambridge Technology Partners, help organizations solve complex business challenges, simplify their systems and processes, and capture new opportunities with one Net solutions. Novell provides worldwide channel, consulting, education and developer programs to support its offerings.

For information on Novell's complete range of products and services, contact Novell's Customer Response Center at (888) 321-4CRC (4272), or visit Novell's Web site at http://www.novell.com. Information on eBusiness and integration solutions from Cambridge Technology Partners can be accessed at http://www.ctp.com. Press may access Novell announcements and company information on the World Wide Web at http://www.novell.com/pressroom.

Novell and Cambridge Technology Partners are registered trademarks and Rapid Technology Rationalization is a service mark of Novell, Inc. in the United States and other countries. *All third-party trademarks are the property of their respective owners.