Summary: The remainder of the news about Novell



IT has been another boring week for anyone who is tracking of Novell. Frankly speaking, Novell only appears as a sidekick, but rarely as a lead story. So for those with spare time, here is a quick rundown involving what we found.

Desktop-Server

We begin with this new video where Novell is shown in the confinements of Windows Vista. The video's purpose is to show how Novell software can be removed from Windows, so it is not quite so promotional.



Looking at some other Novell software, here is a case study involving XenWorks from Novell.

SCC’s remote workers had a limited set of applications, or if they used Novell's XenWorks tools to deliver more applications, Sullivan said they had to wait a long time before all the application files needed were copied over to the local system.

NetWare is mentioned here, inside a long list.

The Concentric Managed Backup service supports a wide range of operating platforms, including Novell, NetWare, Linux, Solaris, HP-UX, AIX, and VMware, as well as application support including Exchange, SQL Server, SharePoint, cluster services, Oracle, and other applications.

Here for a change is an article which is focused on Novell:

Novell: Son of NetWare jockeys for position

[...]

Novell most likely wouldn't be the first bet placed in the data center race, but the company has been amassing essential technologies and developing a comprehensive next-generation strategy that might make for a surprising finish.

Novell's data center portfolio includes SUSE Linux enterprise software, PlateSpin virtualization and workload management tools and, with the recent Managed Objects acquisition, business service management.

Virtualisation

Novell’s Platespin gets some support from Dell.

Pre-configured infrastructure that bundles Dell PowerEdge M-series blades, EqualLogic storage and Cisco’s Catalyst switches. Integration with VMware vSphere 4, a data center operating system, and Novell’s Platespin are included. A small to medium sized business configuration includes a bundle with Dell servers, Symantec backup and Microsoft’s virtualization suite.

Novell seems to have made too little out of Platespin, which it acquired only to see its key people leaving.

Mail

GroupWise connectivity in BlackBerry got mentioned in a few places, but this is hardly relevant to Novell. GroupWise connectivity was mentioned in reference to other products too.

Looking at BlackBerry again, GroupWise appears in many articles about it, e.g.:

i. Azercell Telecom LLC and RIM Introduce the BlackBerry Solution in Azerbaijan

BlackBerry Enterprise Server is targeted specifically for organizations that manage their own email servers. The BlackBerry Enterprise Server software tightly integrates with IBM€® Lotus€® Domino€®, Microsoft€® Exchange and Novell€® GroupWise€® and uses advanced encryption and IT policy controls to enable secure, push-based wireless access to email and other corporate data.

ii. VIVA, Alcatel-Lucent and RIM Offer BlackBerry Services in Kuwait

BlackBerry Enterprise Server is designed for organizations that manage their own email servers. The software integrates with IBM (News - Alert) Lotus Domino, Microsoft Exchange and Novell GroupWise. It uses advanced encryption and IT policy controls to enable secure, push-based wireless access to email and other corporate data.

In addition, here is a new press release from GWAVA:

Exalead, a global provider of search-based business application (SBA) technology, today announced that GWAVA, Novell's largest collaboration partner, has integrated Exalead CloudView OEM Edition into their Retain E-Mail Archiving Platform to deliver robust search functionality. GWAVA selected Exalead's platform because of its scalability and lower TCO compared to other solutions on the market.

GWAVA provides management and security solutions for Novell GroupWise customers. GWAVA's Retain offers complete and seamless e-mail archiving for e-discovery and business continuity. A key part of Retain's success for GWAVA customers depends upon its ability to provide quick, efficient and accurate access to information, no matter how the e-mail archive grows and evolves over time.

Identity and Management

The main news here -- and one of the few press releases from Novell this week -- is this one

Novell today announced the Novell€® Compliance Management Platform extension for SAP€® environments, a cost-effective solution for managing access and security challenges across both SAP solutions and non-SAP systems. With Novell provisioning capabilities, customers can integrate the identity and security information in their SAP solutions with other business applications to reduce the time spent on manual IT compliance. The Novell Compliance Management Platform version 1.0 has recently been certified by SAP for integration with the SAP BusinessObjects™ Access Control application.

The press release can also be found elsewhere with some ripoffs and translations. Novell's PR people wrote about it too:

Novell today announced the Novell Compliance Management Platform extension for SAP environments, a cost-effective solution for managing access and security across both SAP and non-SAP systems.

There is nothing else which is specifically about Novell, but the following articles about identity list Novell at least as a participant:

i. Password frenzy: Experts devise ways to manage and protect multiple accounts

Microsoft already has built a selector program, called CardSpace, into its Vista operating system. Stand-alone selectors are available from two other companies, Novell and Azigo. Google, Oracle and PayPal have joined the industry foundation and there are a few working sample cards available, but no major retailer or financial institution has implemented the system yet.

ii. New MD for Smart Identity

Software company Smart Identity Plc has appointed a new managing director, David Nicholls. Nicholls joins Smart ID from Novell, where he held the position of sales director for Australia and New Zealand.

[...]

Scott Fletcher, who now becomes non executive chairman, said: “Dave is a great addition to the senior management team and having worked with him when he was at Novell I am confident he will deliver on our plans over the coming years.

iii. Tech giants back ID interoperability project

The project brings together more than 40 member organisations, and counts companies such as AOL, BT, CA, Intel, The Internet Society, Fidelity Investments, Novell, NRI, NTT, Oracle, PayPal and Sun on its board of trustees. Kantara was initially formed by organisations with a particular focus on identity, including The Internet Society, Libery Alliance, OpenLiberty.org and XDI.org.

iv. Intel, Oracle, PayPal Back ID Technology Interop Group

The Kantara Initiative, formed to promote interoperability among identity verification applications and services, launched on Wednesday with big-name backers like Oracle, Intel, eBay's PayPal, AOL, CA, Novell, Fidelity Investments, Liberty Alliance, Boeing, Internet Society and British Telecom.

Security

Netware and SUSE were mentioned in this old scam of selling anti-virus software to GNU/Linux because it may serve files to Windows.

Kaspersky Starts Beta Testing of Antivirus 6.0 for Linux File Server

[...]

It supports all 32-bit and 64-bit distributions of Linux-family operating systems, including Red Hat, Fedora, SUSE, openSUSE, Debian GNU, and Ubuntu. Another enhancement on the previous versions is the added support of Novell Open Enterprise Server 2 and Novell NSS, making it easier for Novell NetWare users to migrate to the new operating system.

People

There is very little to be seen here except this interview with Novell's East Asia Technical Director and a new speech.

Partners

Novell was listed as a partner is a few places. The main example is the following: "Novell turns to APM software to speed test cycle"

Novell QA Engineer Lucy Monahan explained the draw to APM tools like dynaTrace’s. “The software provides a view of an application under load, over time and under load over time. The dynaTrace product offers some debugging features as well, and can help solve OutOfMemory errors or thread dumps,” she said.

Monahan said Novell’s testers can run fewer, more productive tests during debugging. Running fewer tests during debugging means they have more time to run more productive tests during performance and regression testing and capacity planning phases.

We mentioned Arrow a few days ago, but we missed the corresponding press release, which says:

The Novell classes will be available through Arrow ECS’ award-winning vendor-authorized training program available through its Alternative Technology Group. Initially focusing on SUSE Linux Enterprise from Novell

Other articles and press releases of interest:

i. Large Call Trade in Affiliated Computer

The company made public several new products and partnerships this week, ranging from mobile applications for smart phones and on-board taxi scanners to credit card payment machines at airports. Affiliated Computer also has been active in strategic deals in the last month, including an alliance with Novell(NOVL Quote) and the acquisition of British technology company Anix for $50 million.

ii. Simeio Solutions Announces Record Revenue and Customer Growth

Simeio Solutions (www.simeiosolutions.com) today announced two consecutive quarters of record growth, reflecting significant increases in its revenue, customer base and market traction. The company gained over a dozen new clients in financial services, healthcare and entertainment, adding to an installed base that already includes Fortune 50 companies. Simeio also expanded its partner network via new agreements with industry leaders Novell, IBM and Oracle.

iii. Meet the Mentorpreneur

Following this, Infotecnics started partnering with vendors such as Cisco and Novell, and also forged distribution tie-ups with PC vendors like IBM. According to Bhavnani, this period was the evolution of the company and led it to the big league.

On the marketing side, there was this. Novell was also mentioned in a very minor way (among many other companies) here, here and here. ⬆