October 2, 2000

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Novell Tries To Reinvent Itself With Unified Product Line

Vendor's initiatives are designed to provide a range of products for web based networks

By John Rendleman

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ovell, a company whose name was once synonymous with enterprise networks, last week unveiled several initiatives designed to provide a unified set of products for operating Web-based networks--and dispel customer concerns about the software vendor's future.

"What we've been doing over the last several years is building the individual pieces," says Novell CEO Eric Schmidt. "Now we can finally show the benefit of this new world."

Novell's new line-up includes DirXML 1.0, a data-sharing application; eDirectory 8.5, a new version of its directory application; and Novell Ac-count Management 2.1, which manages heterogeneous networks. The three work together to provide a framework to automate business process data flow; they'll be available in 30 days. The vendor also introduced version 1.3 of the Novell Internet Caching System and launched Novell Portal Services, software for developing and managing Web portals.

Novell is trying to reinvent itself as a Web-centric software supplier for Internet-based networks that incorporate technologies from multiple vendors. "All we've ever used Novell for is file and print services. I think it's been struggling with a lot of this new stuff," says Michael Moss, operations chief for the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta.

Others say the company needs to become more effective in selling networking software to businesses to compete with marketing powerhouses such as Microsoft.

"No matter what Novell does, if it doesn't learn how to market to people who make business decisions, none of this will fly," says Stan Yarbrough, a managing consultant at North Highland Co.

EDirectory is priced at $2 per user; Novell Account Management is $26 per user. Pricing for DirXML is based on individual customer requirements. Prices for Novell Portal Services aren't set. Novell Internet Caching System 1.3 is available now to manufacturers; the Novell Portal Services software developers kit is slated to be available by year's end.

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