Novell Delivers Directory-Based Messaging for the Solaris and Linux Platforms

Novell, Inc., a leading provider of Net services software, today announced availability of the Novell Internet Messaging System 2.5. An extremely scalable, cost-effective messaging service, Novell Internet Messaging System 2.5 makes it possible for service providers to offer fast, reliable hosted e-mail accounts to partners, vendors and customers.

24 May 2000

  • Novell Internet Messaging System 2.5 offers fast, reliable messaging for the Solaris, Linux and NetWare platforms
  • Novell Internet Messaging System 2.5 helps service providers grow their business by offering value-added services like Internet e-mail
  • Built on NDS eDirectory, Novell Internet Messaging System 2.5 is extremely manageable with tremendous scalability

Novell, Inc., a leading provider of Net services software, today announced availability of the Novell Internet Messaging System 2.5. An extremely scalable, cost-effective messaging service, Novell Internet Messaging System 2.5 makes it possible for service providers to offer fast, reliable hosted e-mail accounts to partners, vendors and customers. Central to the release of Novell Internet Messaging System 2.5 is its ability to span across the Net to the Linux*, Solaris* and NetWare platforms. As part of Novell's vision to deliver Net services software that is cross-platform, Novell Internet Messaging System simplifies the complexities of eBusiness and provides the power and flexibility needed to succeed in the Net economy.

The award-winning Novell Internet Messaging System will be delivered as a hosted offering, designed to help Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and Application Service Providers (ASPs) attract more customers and grow their business. It's also designed to address the unique management and integration issues service providers face by giving them a hosted messaging package that is extremely scalable and reliable, leverages Internet security standards and is easy to manage across leading platforms. Completely based on Novell's NDS eDirectory the acknowledged industry leader in large-scale, highly reliable and ultra-secure directory services Novell Internet Messaging System provides a high-performance hosted e-mail service ideal for delivering reliable services at lower costs.

"Computer Systems and Services has been using Novell's Internet Messaging System for over two years, with great success," said Ray Poorman, president of Computer Systems and Services, a systems integration and ISP firm based in Bellingham, Wash. "We were looking for an e-mail solution that was easy to use and administer and that could leverage the power of our directory. The fact that Novell Internet Messaging System was able to make use of our existing hardware and software infrastructure was a huge asset. Novell Internet Messaging System completely replaced our Unix Sendmail servers, gave us a WebMail interface, added security to prevent relaying and significantly reduced the 'spam mail' we have to deal with."

Key enhancements to Novell Internet Messaging System 2.5 include the following:

  • Cross-platform support Novell Internet Messaging System 2.5 supports the NetWare, Linux and Solaris operating systems and can be installed on any or all of the supported platforms making use of a service provider's existing hardware and software infrastructure.


  • Rules Novell Internet Messaging System supports server-side messaging rules, which simplify the handling of e-mail messages regardless of the client that is used. Users now have the ability to define processing rules that can act on any or all incoming messages to automatically copy them, move them to another folder or delete them based on the sender, recipients, message subject, body text and other parameters.


  • List server Novell Internet Messaging System includes a list server that can accommodate millions of subscribers. In order to increase the value of their offering to customers, service providers can create lists on virtually any topic from cooking to sports and allow users to join these lists. Subscribers can then receive daily postings on their topic of interest from other users. The Novell Internet Messaging System list server increases a service provider's portfolio of value-added services.


  • Personalization Users now have greater control over their messaging environment, and service providers and portal sites can now add custom functionality to the WebMail user interface.

"Novell is extending Novell Internet Messaging System into the Solaris and Linux markets in order to address the growing demand for messaging services that secure, simplify and accelerate eBusiness environments," said Dave Shirk, senior vice president of product management for Novell. "Success in the service provider market is no longer determined by basic offerings such as Internet access. Today's service providers must attract and retain users by offering value-added services like the fast, reliable e-mail that Novell Internet Messaging System provides."

Built on NDS eDirectory

A key competitive advantage for the Novell Internet Messaging System over other hosted messaging packages is its tight integration with eDirectory. Not only does eDirectory allow service providers to manage millions, or even billions, of Novell Internet Messaging System e-mail accounts, but it also brings e-mail accounts together with user information, accounting and billing processes, hardware, etc. into a single location. This centralized management allows service providers to truly grow their business by simplifying business processes. Additionally, eDirectory provides an easy integration point for other Net services software, beyond e-mail messaging, that will be included in future versions of Novell Internet Messaging System.

Availability and Pricing

A license for the Novell Internet Messaging System 2.5 is available after June 15 to service providers that are part of Novell's Internet Commercial Service Provider (iCSP) program. Companies interested in learning more about the iCSP program can inquire via e-mail to acnameth@novell.com. Novell Internet Messaging System 2.5 is also available after June 15 to enterprise customers through any authorized Novell reseller, by calling Novell's Customer Response Center at (888) 321-4272 or by going to http://shop.novell.com. Enterprise customers can purchase Novell Internet Messaging System for SRP $20 per user. Upgrade and volume-discount pricing is available.

About Novell

Novell, Inc. (NASDAQ:NOVL), is a 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/advantage.

Novell, NetWare and NDS are registered trademarks, and eDirectory and Novell Internet Messaging System 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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