Novell Provides Directory Technology Free to Developers, Cements Leadership Role in Net Infrastructure Arena

Novell, Inc., the leading provider of Net services software, today made a move unprecedented in the industry by announcing it is offering Novell® eDirectory for free to equipment manufacturers, independent software vendors, and developers that build applications that leverage the directory.

8 May 2001

  • Ground-breaking initiative creates new business opportunities for OEMs, ISVs and developers
  • Underscores the power of directories as Net infrastructure technology for eBusiness
  • Accelerates adoption of industry's #1 directory service

Novell, Inc., the leading provider of Net services software, today made a move unprecedented in the industry by announcing it is offering Novell® eDirectory for free to equipment manufacturers, independent software vendors, and developers that build applications that leverage the directory. Directories, which allow businesses to centrally store, manage, and secure user identities and information wherever it resides on a network, substantially lower network management costs, reduce data errors, and provide companies the power to respond more quickly to change. This move by Novell will drive the adoption of directories on the Net by allowing OEMs, ISVs and developers to redistribute the industry's most open, secure and scalable directory service as part of their eBusiness offering to customers free of charge. Developing eBusiness solutions that leverage the directory from eProvisioning to supply chain management to complex security needs have suddenly become cheaper and easier. As a leading developer of directory-enabled applications, Novell stands to gain as directory adoption grows on the Net.

With more than 1,800 applications built on eDirectory to date, twice as many as any other directory vendor, Novell is reducing the barriers to entry, furthering market reach and creating new business opportunities for creating and deploying eBusiness solutions that span the Net.

"Directories will play a central role in the future of the Net because of their ability to manage and secure user identities as well as bridge access between intranets, extranet, and the Internet. The directory is the foundation for Novell's Net services software," said Carl Ledbetter, chief technology officer and senior vice president, business and corporate development, Novell, Inc. "By giving eDirectory away for free to our key equipment and development partners, Novell is furthering directories as the basic underlying infrastructure of the Net. As the most open, robust and cross-platform directory service on the market, Novell eDirectory is the only directory available today that can realistically play this role, providing a proven, robust framework for developers to build solutions."

"Caldera understands the value of eDirectory and what it lends to enterprise management," said Mike Ballengee, vice president of strategic relations for Caldera Systems, Inc. "We include eDirectory in our Linux* systems management product, Caldera Volution*, because it simplifies management and offers terrific scalability and security to administrators."

Directories: Critical Security Infrastructure
In an effort to remain competitive in eBusiness, enterprises are leveraging the Net to improve business processes, reduce operating costs and enhance services. Directories are increasingly becoming critical security infrastructure for their ability to centrally manage user identities, network resources and information. The directory plays the central role in extending the enterprise network to employees, customers and partners around the globe by giving businesses the ability to control and monitor who has access to what information wherever it resides on the network.

 

About eDirectory Pricing Initiative
Novell is currently signing up OEM and ISV partners and will have the Web infrastructure up and OEM distribution kits available by June 29. Novell customers that purchase Net services software, such as ZENworks®, iChain, DirXML, Single Sign-on, Portal Services and Novell OnDemand Services already receive Novell eDirectory at no additional costs.

About eDirectory
With 139 million users, Novell eDirectory is the industry's #1 directory service that provides centralized management of user identities and network resources and information. As the only directory service to work on all networks and operating systems, including Windows* NT/2000, NetWare®, Solaris*, Linux, Tru64 UNIX* and soon IBM AIX*, eDirectory is the most open, robust and secure platform to develop eBusiness applications. Unlike competing products on the market today, eDirectory works with customers' existing hardware and software, eliminating the need for businesses to go through the costly and time-consuming task of making hardware infrastructure changes. eDirectory was recently awarded Network Magazine's Product of the Year Award for best directory service and is the only directory to receive SunTone* Program Certification from Sun Microsystems, demonstrating superior levels of reliability and quality of service on the Solaris Operating Environment.

About Novell
Novell, Inc. (NASDAQ:NOVL), is the leading provider of Net services software that delivers services to secure and power all types of networks the Internet, intranets, and extranets; wired to wireless; corporate and public across leading operating systems. Novell's Net services software provides the foundation for one Net a single global network that supports new applications and forms of business. Worldwide channel, consulting, education and technical support programs, along with strategic alliances, combine Novell Net services software with third-party products and services to form complete Net solutions.

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. Press may access Novell announcements and company information on the World Wide Web at http://www.novell.com/pressroom. In addition, detailed comparisons between Novell products and competitive offerings from other vendors are available on the Web at http://www.novell.com/competitive.

Novell, NetWare and ZENworks are registered trademarks, NetWorld is a registered service mark, and DirXML, eDirectory, iChain, and Novell OnDemand Services are trademarks of Novell, Inc. in the United States and other countries. *All third-party trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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