Novell to Partner with Top Consulting Firms to Extend Customer Networks to the Internet Using Directory-Based Solutions

Novell, Inc., the leader in Net infrastructure software, today announced it is partnering with top consulting firms and systems integrators to deliver to customers directory-enabled Internet and network solutions. Solutions resulting from these Consultant& Systems Integrator (CSI) Alliances will combine the directory-based technology expertise of Novell and the consulting strengths of its partners to solve e-business problems for customers worldwide. Working with Novell, CSI Alliance partners will securely integrate NDS eDirectory with critical business applications spanning the enterprise and the Internet, including leading solutions for enterprise resource planning (ERP), supply chain management, customer relationship management (CRM) and other areas of e-business.

Perot Systems Corporation (NYSE: PER) is the first company to partner with Novell through the CSI Alliance program. Perot Systems is offering a virtual private network (VPN) solution using Novell technology. [Note: See today's press release from Perot Systems for more information.]

Ross Perot, chairman, president and CEO of Perot Systems, said, "By partnering our technology capabilities with Novell's leading directory-enabled networking software and services, we can offer faster, less expensive solutions for our customers and help them take advantage of e-business opportunities on the Internet."

Novell's CSI Alliance program creates strategic global alliances with industry leaders in management consulting, ERP implementation and systems management. With these relationships, Novell and its partners work together to develop and deliver comprehensive enterprise solutions for the Internet, intranet and extranet. These alliances will reduce complexity and recognize competitive advantages that let customers take advantage of e-business opportunities on the Net.

According to Eric Schmidt, Novell chairman and CEO, the value of these partnerships is manifest in new applications and e-business activities available to customers. "The way to win in the marketplace today is by combining the best technology with the best expertise in systems integration and implementation. That's what we're doing through the CSI Alliance program."

Today's announcement was made from Novell's annual Global Partner Summit, taking place this week in Phoenix, Ariz. The Summit brings Novell senior management and technical leaders together with more than 250 executives from more than 100 leading companies in hardware, software, consulting, systems integration and services. The Summit is a working forum to collectively develop new initiatives for delivering Net services and applications as well as identifying new points of entry for Novell products and services.

David Cearley, META Group, Inc. senior vice president& service director of Web& Collaboration Strategies, said, "The CSI program will be critical for Novell to enhance its overall market strength and expand its reach in the enterprise space. A strong alliance program is essential for Novell to create market awareness and provide a larger number of customers with directory-based solutions."

Novell continues to form relationships with major Net companies based upon the appeal of its eDirectory technology. As a key component in the infrastructure of the Internet, NDS eDirectory enables businesses to save time and money by centrally managing every user, computer platform, application and device on the network and on the Internet. E-business is facilitated with NDS eDirectory as it manages and leverages the digital profiles and user identity information in e-business applications that make the Internet more personal and profitable for businesses, their partners and their customers.

About Novell
Novell, Inc. (NASDAQ:NOVL) is the broadest supplier of Net infrastructure software used to integrate and manage the diverse information resources of private business networks and the Internet. Novell's worldwide channel, consulting, developer, education and technical support programs are the most extensive in the network computing industry.

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.

Novell and NDS are registered trademarks and eDirectory is a trademark of Novell, Inc. in the United States and other countries. Perot Systems is a registered trademark of Perot Systems Corporation in the United States and other countries. All third-party trademarks are the property of their respective owners.