Novell Adds Mobile and Wireless Device Management to ZENworks Portfolio Through Acquisition of Callisto Software

Novell, Inc., a leader in eBusiness solutions and Net services software, today announced it has agreed to acquire mobile and wireless device management technologies from Callisto Software, a leading developer of management solutions for mobile systems, including handheld devices. Through this acquisition, Novell - whose ZENworks® for Desktops and ZENworks for Servers currently give customers a cost-effective end-to-end network management solution - will expand its management offerings to include mobile technologies in existing products and through a new offering, ZENworks for Handhelds. Novell and Callisto expect to close the transaction within the next 30 days.

Ninety-one percent of Novell's more-than 35 million ZENworks for Desktops customers have indicated they are investigating management polices and methods for mobile and handheld devices. According to a recent Gartner Dataquest report, worldwide shipments of personal digital assistants (PDA) will total 12.3 million in 2001.† The number of mobile and handheld devices in use continues to grow as they become fundamental to business success, particularly for organizations with large numbers of deskless employees. As these devices increase in number and significance, IT departments need better ways to manage and support them.

Blending Novell's industry-leading expertise managing desktops and laptops through ZENworks for Desktops with Callisto's extensive mobile and wireless device management proficiency will give Novell® customers the best integrated combination of desktop, laptop, handheld and thin-client management from a single vendor. Administrators will be able to use a single set of integrated management tools to cost-effectively manage these devices and users with access to multiple devices.

"The move toward mobile access and wireless parallels Novell's strategy to tie all types of networks into one Net and provide users access to the information they need, when they need it," said Brad Anderson, Novell's ZENworks business unit manager. "Novell's Net services software delivers services to secure and power all types of networks - wired and wireless - across leading operating systems. The Callisto acquisition gives us mobile and wireless device management technologies to increase Novell's remote and mobile offerings, such as the anytime, anywhere access to information currently provided by Novell iFolder™ and GroupWise® Wireless. With ZENworks for Desktops already being the most widely deployed directory-enabled desktop management solution on the market, this acquisition dramatically increases Novell's edge as we now provide mobile and wireless management to current and new customers."

Ronni Colville of Gartner, Inc., said, "Mobile and wireless devices have matured from being fringe devices and are starting to require management that integrates with the rest of the business. Businesses who are serious about using such devices should seek management solutions that complement desktop management systems and personalize management by using the directory."

The marriage of Novell ZENworks and Callisto technology will provide complete solutions that enable enterprises to efficiently manage and support their growing, distributed mobile workforces. Callisto products have been uniquely designed for the mobile environment and provide the tools organizations need to address their most-pressing mobile management and support challenges. Callisto technology allows corporations to lower their total cost of ownership for mobile systems such as laptops, handhelds and PDAs through traditional systems management functionality.

Further details and availability of ZENworks for Handhelds will be announced in early 2002. With ZENworks for Desktops and ZENworks for Servers, administrators can already create automated software packages and disk images, deploy them once on a single server, and distribute this content to NetWare®, Windows* 2000 and NT servers and Windows desktops throughout the organization. For more information about ZENworks, visit http://www.novell.com/products/zenworks.

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, NetWare, GroupWise and ZENworks are registered trademarks and Novell iFolder is a trademark of Novell, Inc. in the United States and other countries. *All third-party trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Source: Gartner Dataquest "2001 PRD Forecast Scenarios: 3Q01 Update," T. Kort, October 2001.