Novell to Offer Messaging for the Solaris and Linux Platforms

GroupWise also to be offered natively on Solaris and Linux

27 March 2000

  • Novell Internet Messaging System to be delivered on Solaris and Linux
  • Q2 release will deliver a directory-enabled hosted service across leading operating systems
  • NIMS allows service providers to host and centrally manage millions or billions of user e-mail accounts
  • GroupWise to be offered natively on Solaris and Linux by year-end
  • Both products part of Novell's Net Portal Services offering

Novell, Inc., a leading supplier of Net services software, today announced the upcoming availability of the Novell Internet Messaging System (NIMS) on the Solaris and Linux platforms. A key component in the new DENIM(SM) Net Portal Services strategy, Novell is extending NIMS into the Solaris and Linux markets in order to address the growing demand for messaging services that secure, simplify and accelerate eBusiness environments. NIMS is a cost-effective, cross-platform messaging service for centrally managing millions, or even billions of user accounts regardless of hardware infrastructure. The company also announced that the next version of its advanced knowledge platform, GroupWise (code-named BulletProof), will run natively on both Solaris and Linux. The product is scheduled to ship by year-end.

NIMS on Solaris and Linux will be a hosted offering targeted at Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and Application Service Providers (ASPs). It is designed to address the unique management and integration issues service providers face by giving them a hosted messaging package that is both extremely scalable and easy to manage across leading platforms. Leveraging Novell's NDS eDirectory, the acknowledged industry leader in large-scale, ultra-secure directory services, NIMS provides a high-performance hosted e-mail service that is ideal for service providers that want to deliver reliable services at lower costs.

"As a Net services software product targeted primarily at service providers, it's important for NIMS to support the Solaris and Linux platforms," said Dave Shirk, Novell senior vice president of product management. "Now, in addition to offering those service providers a high-performance hosted e-mail service regardless of the operating system they choose to run - NIMS will also help Novell drive NDS eDirectory into the emerging service provider market."

Built on NDS eDirectory

A key competitive advantage for the Novell Internet Messaging System over other hosted messaging packages is its tight integration with NDS eDirectory, which simplifies eBusiness relationships better than any other technology. Not only does NDS eDirectory allow service providers to manage millions, or even billions of NIMS e-mail accounts, but it also brings those 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. In addition, NDS eDirectory will provide an easy integration point for other Net services, beyond e-mail messaging, that will be included in future versions of NIMS.

Features and Benefits

Some of the key benefits that NIMS offers both users and administrators include

  • Unsolicited Bulk E-mail (UBE) Protection Users can block unwanted spam e-mail
  • Mail Proxy Users can retrieve e-mail from other standards-based accounts, such as Novell GroupWise, Eudora World Mail Server 2.0 and Microsoft Exchange Internet Mail Service
  • User Self-administration Administrative tasks such as password change, forwarding and auto reply rules, colors, language preference, etc. can be performed by users without the help of administrators
  • Web Mail Users can access their mailboxes from any standard Web browser
  • Web-based Management All system administration can be done over the Web using any standard browser
  • Extensive Standards Support Support for Internet protocols such as Post Office Protocol 3 (POP), Internet Mail Access Protocol 4 (IMAP), Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)

A demonstration of the messaging capabilities of NIMS and NDS eDirectory can be viewed by going to the MyRealBox(SM) Web site (http://www.myrealbox.com), a Novell-sponsored Web site based on these technologies, which offers a product showcase for NIMS.

GroupWise for Solaris and Linux

Novell also announced today that the next version of GroupWise (code-named BulletProof) will run natively on both Solaris and Linux, thereby extending Novell's ability to simplify information management on the Net across all types of networks and all leading operating environments. Part of Novell's Net Portal Services offering, BulletProof will also feature the industry's first integrated XML infrastructure, allowing smooth integration of third-party products and services.

Availability and Pricing

The Novell Internet Messaging System will be available for the Solaris and Linux platforms in the second calendar quarter of this year. GroupWise running natively on Solaris and Linux will be made available by the end of the calendar year. Pricing for both products will be announced at time of availability.

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. Net Services software gives IT organizations a way to adapt and accelerate their transformation to eBusiness, simplify the management and control of all networks, create a secure foundation for doing business on the Net, and help deliver a consistent and high-quality experience to end users in all locations. 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, GroupWise and NDS are registered trademarks, and DENIM, eDirectory, MyRealBox and Novell Internet Messaging System are trademarks or service marks 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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