Novell Inc. made a series of operating system and e-business announcements at Networld+Interop in Atlanta Tuesday, including detailing a new version of the company's flagship NetWare operating system, a new version of its Small Business Suite and deals with both Compaq Computer Corp. and Yahoo Inc.
Novell took the wraps off NetWare 6, which offers a host of new Internet-centric features, including Internet-enabled folder, print and calendar access options. NetWare WebAcess, a feature included in NetWare 6, allows users to access their files, printers, e-mail, calendars, address books and more via a standard Web browser or through a personalized portal, Novell said. Novell iFolder offers users secure access to and synchronization of their files across all networks and Internet-enabled devices, the company said. Novell iPrint allows users to find and install printers using a Web browser, removing location restraints for users and devices, Novell said.
NetWare 6 supports Windows, Macintosh, Unix and Linux clients. The new operating system will be available in mid-October at a cost of US$184 per user.
In addition to unveiling NetWare 6, Novell also announced an upgrade to its Small Business Suite e-commerce package, bringing the suite to version 6. Novell Small Business Suite allows companies to integrate their networks with the Internet, thereby creating one network, the company said. The suite is built around NetWare 6 to provide core networking and storage capabilities, Novell said, as well as offering collaboration through GroupWise 6, desktop management with ZENworks for Desktops 3.2, antivirus through Network Associates Inc.'s VirusScan and NetShield and more, Novell said.
The Small Business Suite will be available in early November at a cost of $1,295 for a five-user license, with a $70 charge for each additional user license.
Additionally, the company detailed new features to its PartnerNet for the Small Business specialist program, adding monthly, interactive, Web-based training, inclusion in the Novell Channel Partner Locator, co-marketing activities and a removal of the membership fee.
Continuing the day's focus on e-business for Novell, the company said it was expanding its partnership with Yahoo in the enterprise portal market. The agreement calls for Yahoo to include Novell's eDirectory as the default directory server for the Corporate Yahoo enterprise portal, Novell said.
Lastly, Compaq announced that it will support the new NetWare 6 by integrating it into its offerings on its ProLiant series of servers. New ProLiant Cluster Kits for NetWare 5.1 and NetWare 6 will be available in October, Compaq said. The kits are made up of two to 12 node clusters and will be available in the fourth quarter. Additionally, Compaq will update its eDirectory Collection Agent for NetWare 5.X in the fourth quarter of the year and will update the application for NetWare 6 when the OS is released, Compaq said.