Lufthansa Takes on Metadirectory Solutions from Novell

Novell, a leading provider of Net business solutions, has signed a company-wide contract worth several million euros with Deutsche Lufthansa AG. As part of the contract, Novell's directory and network services will be used to consolidate user data for approximately 70,000 employees, and create a secure and structured access to the company Intranet. In addition, a PKI infrastructure from Entrust* will ensure integration with certificate-based procedures.

The construction of the metadirectory based on the Novell® eDirectory is designed to improve the level of security in IT systems operations, and reduce operating costs through consolidated administration and business procedures.

The Novell eDirectory, with its very simple, centralised and highly flexible user administration and authorisation, provides an ideal platform to meet these objectives. The application of logical standards such as LDAP and XML allows all internal Web applications to be linked seamlessly into the eDirectory. This synchronisation creates a central reference for all user data.

The range of Novell Net services software products also opens the way for Deutsche Lufthansa AG to the one Net environment from Novell.

Along with user-profile data (internal and external), applications or IT resources can also be accessed and managed. In preparation for even stronger security functions such as authentication devices using smart cards or biometric recognition, interfaces and supporting functions are already in place within the system.

Prof. Dr. Bernd Voigt, Senior Vice President and CIO of Deutsche Lufthansa AG gives reasons for the decision: "The directory-based one Net concept from Novell offers us convincing security benefits. As a leading global airline, we have to guarantee that our information and data can only be accessed by authorised users. Novell's solutions assist us in fulfilling our very high security requirements in the IT area. We are setting new standards for the whole airline sector."

"Novell Net services software enables us to administer all security-related user information and services centrally," says Norbert Schwarzkopf, Project Manager for Metadirectory Services, Corporate Information Management at Deutsche Lufthansa AG. "This consolidation enables us to avoid possible security breaches from the outset, and central administration will even enable us to reduce costs in the future."

"Deutsche Lufthansa AG's decision shows that Novell provides convincing concepts for reliable IT security infrastructures," states Horst Nebgen, Novell's Country Manager for Germany and Regional Director for Central Europe. "Our one Net approach combines high security and cost efficiency. This is exactly what is needed by companies who want to compete in the global arena."

The Airline's company-wide licence entitles Deutsche Lufthansa AG to licence Novell solutions that include the following Net Services Products: NetWareÒ 6, ZENworksÒ, eDirectoryä, DirXMLä, Novell Account Management, NDS® Authentication Services, SecureLogin, Novell SecretStoreä, NMASä, iChain®, Novell Internet Messaging Systemä and Novell Cluster Servicesä.

The contract includes company-wide licensing and maintenance, giving Lufthansa access to a portfolio of Novell Solutions. Managed by Lufthansa AG Central Group IT Management, the project also involves Lufthansa subsidiary Lufthansa Systems Infratec, Novell ConsultingSM and Novell Business Expert Carpe diem in advisory roles on conceptualisation and implementation.

Novell, NetWare, iChain, NDS and ZENworks are registered trademarks; DirXML, eDirectory, NMAS, Novell Cluster Services, Novell Internet Messaging System and Novell SecretStore are trademarks; and Novell Consulting 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.