07.25.09
Novell News Summary – Part III: PlateSpin, GWAVA, Security, People, and Partnerships
THERE are many news articles listed here, but none are important in the sense that they really change much. For those who insist on reading on, we only warn that it might be dull.
Misc.
The first report that we deal with suggests that Novell might be dumped for Google in the City of Los Angeles, California. Google is also based in California, but this is unlikely to be related.
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa was asked on Friday to weigh potential privacy and security risks before allowing the City of Los Angeles to ditch Microsoft and Novell for Google.
Forrester, of Microsoft infamy, wrote about office suites and mentioned Novell as a sleeping contender.
Can Office 2010 save the franchise? Or will a simpler, better customer experience from Google draw in a bigger audience before next summer? And what does it mean for the bit players, independents, and sleepers like the Open Office suites from IBM/Lotus, Novell, and Sun, or for Adobe, Zoho, Thinkfree, Corel …
Finance
Novell’s stock is not doing too badly. As the market fluctuates, Novell continues to be mentioned every now and then. See for example:
Tech stocks made ground with Microsoft, IBM and Apple putting on 1%, 0.9% and 0.8% respectively. Hewlett-Packard gained 1.1%, while Novell and Oracle shed 1.4% and 1.1%.
ii. Market Winners & Losers: AIG, CIT
Novell Inc. (NOVL)
Novell closed the session down 1.2% to start the week, bucking sector trends. NOVL last traded at $4.21, a loss of 5 cents on the day.
iii. Market Winners & Losers: Starbucks, Allegheny Technologies
Novell Inc. (NOVL)
The software company helped keep the Nasdaq in positive territory Wednesday, with shares closing up 7.1%. NOVL last traded at $4.68, a gain of 31 cents on the day.
Netware
Novell’s Netware was mentioned almost nowhere except this new page about the Lexmark C736dn.
Fortunately, software setup is much more straightforward and the drivers for PCL 6 and Postscript Level 3, both in emulation, together with a monitoring applet, install easily. This printer has drivers available for Windows from 2000 onwards, OSX, a wide range of Linux variants, Novell NetWare and Sun, HP and IBM versions of UNIX. There aren’t many places this printer won’t fit.
A new Web filtering product has Novell mentioned in the accompanying press release.
LDAP Synchronization with Novell eDirectory (Novell NetWare 6.5) – Netsweeper can now use the LDAP protocol to access your Novell eDirectory group and user information, such that changes to an eDirectory management system automatically update the Netsweeper user and group database. (Previously, Netsweeper could only synchronize with Active Directory users and groups through LDAP.)
Virtualisation
The news about PlateSpin migration is a little antiquated by now, but here are Novell’s PR people bringing PlateSpin back to the centre.
Business Service Manager 4.6 also marks a milestone in the integration of Novell’s PlateSpin workload and virtualization management solutions with our business service management solutions — a new PlateSpin Recon adapter is now available for customers to integrate PlateSpin virtualization information into the Business Service Manager analytical and dashboard environment.
[...]
In addition, Business Service Manager 4.6 has added support for SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11, as well as Microsoft Windows 2008 Server.
ITWeb fell behind somewhat, so only days ago it covered the announcement about PlateSpin Migrate.
The company said Platespin Migrate 8.1 is a significant update for customers using Solaris Containers, a form of operating system-level virtualisation.
Novell was mentioned in more articles regarding virtualisation, but mostly as just a minor player, e.g. in:
i. Microsoft Vs VMware: A ‘cloud’ war of Titans?
Some call VMware a one-trick pony trying to joust with a giant in the backyard. Some say, it’s a stallion that will only get stronger as it sweats it out in the real race. So are we sniffing a Novell Vs Microsoft deja vu even as both the companies are surrounded with technology, customer and competition troubles on their own. We try to understand all that and more in this ‘twin plate’. Bringing both the rivals together as they prefer not to answer direct questions about each other.
ii. Big Blue animates VM control freak
Look out, VMware. And Citrix Systems. And Microsoft. And Red Hat. And Novell. And Oracle. Here comes IBM crashing the server virtualization management party.
iii. REVIEW: Citrix XenServer 5.5 Is a Good Choice for Cash-Strapped Organizations
With Version 5.5, XenServer now offers support for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5.3, Novell SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11 and Debian Lenny. XenCenter also now provides a view that puts resources such as physical hosts, virtual machines, snapshots and storage repositories into folders, and resources can be tagged to create groupings of resources for reporting purposes.
iv. Citrix: A long run to VMware
Citrix is playing the best hand it can put together, just like Novell. Time will tell if either of them can take on their respective opposing juggernauts and make a real run for the money, not just a technical race.
In practice, this means that the purchase of software for virtualization from vendors like VMware ( VMW – news – people ), Citrix and Novell ( NOVL – news – people ) as well as thin client technology from Sun Microsystems ( JAVA – news – people ) is being subsidized by these programs. The logic behind the subsidies is that companies should be given assistance and incentives to make investments that permanently reduce the amount of energy they use.
There was nothing about GroupWise this time around, but GWAVA made a couple of appearances:
i. GWAVA Announces GWAVACon EMEA in 2009
GWAVA is pleased to announce that registration is now open for its GWAVACon conference in Berlin October 17-19, 2009. Early bird pricing is available through August 15th.
ii. GWAVA Releases Retain 1.7 With Free Stubbing Edition
GWAVA is pleased to announce a new release of its popular Retain product. As part of this release, GWAVA is offering a free stubbing edition of Retain for any customers wishing to try the stubbing technology. Retain is GWAVA’s email archiving and retention software designed for Novell GroupWise.
Management
According to eWeek, Novell enters fog computing with identity and access management (also mentioned here).
Novell is unveiling a cloud-based security service to perform identity and access management for hosted applications and hosted storage. The vendor plans to unveil the technology next week at a conference in San Diego.
On a similar or at least related matter, Novell’s Alan Murray gets quoted in here:
“Today’s data centers are heterogeneous environments with multiple masters and stakeholders, but in order for any organization to make decisions or analyze business performance these mixed environments need to work together simply and seamlessly,” said Alan Murray, vice president of product management at Novell. “Novell is a strong supporter of the Configuration Management Database Federation (CMDBf) standard, because it facilities the interoperability of data from multiple points of view. With a comprehensive view of the entire IT environment, administrators can utilize configuration data to streamline management tasks, resolve issues and, most importantly, effectively manage the components in their IT infrastructure.”
Security
The Burton Group is no reputable entity, but this does not prevent Novell from hooking up with it.
Novell will unveil the industry’s first cloud computing security service that provides identity and access management for hosted applications and hosted storage, as well as a compliance reporting suite, at the upcoming Burton Group Catalyst Conference, July 29 – 31 in San Diego. Based on more than 60 cloud-related patents and patent applications, the Novell(R) Cloud Security Service enables Cloud Providers and Software as a Service (SaaS) vendors to ensure their offerings meet the strict security and compliance standards required by global businesses.
A vulnerability recently discovered in Novell Access Manager is still giving them a lot of flak.
Bad news was reported regarding Novell Access Manager. A vulnerability has been discovered in this software program. Remote attackers with an aim to compromise a vulnerable system, could exploit this vulnerability and obtain unauthorized access to arbitrary files and sensitive information on the system.
People
There are many things happening here. First of all, Novell’s PR people brag about Justin Steinman, who is in marketing.
Novell marketing guru Justin Steinman has just been named a finalist for the 2009 Mass Technology Leadership Council’s Leadership Awards in the Emerging Executives category. The Leadership Awards honor Massachusetts companies and individuals who best exemplify leadership and excellence in business and technology.
This is also mentioned here, here, and here.
We also find former Novell employees making their move, e.g.:
i. New Management Team for Search Engine Factory, SurfRay
Board Member Ken Tomassen is Managing Director of Novell in Denmark, Finland, Norway and The Middle East. Prior to his career at Novell, which began in 2004, he worked for IBM Software Group for 10 years where he was responsible for software sales in Denmark and key accounts in the Nordic Region. He was also stationed in Paris with responsibility for software sales to SMBs in EMEA.
Before joining InterSystems, Matz was president and CEO of Route Link for eight years, a leading systems integration and groupware development company that he founded and managed. Prior to founding Route Link, he was vice president of Mashov Computers, the exclusive Novell distributor in Israel, where he was responsible for Novell’s Israeli operations. His background includes more than twenty years of technical, marketing and sales management experience in the IT industry.
iii. S2 Intelligence’s McCabe joins KPMG
McCabe has advised 90 of Australia’s top 100 corporations and state and federal governments. He started his career in marketing and management roles with IBM and Novell before moving into research with IDC and Gartner. He started S2 Intelligence in 2002.
iv. Karl Strauss and GreenHouse Partner to Create Alternative Fuel from Beer Waste
EFuel is run by Tom Quinn, the inventor of the Nintendo Wii controller and former President of Novell. The Company also offers consumers effective home improvement products that not only improve the environment, but also reduce energy bills and maintenance expenses. The company offers a diverse product line that includes ‘on-site, off-the-grid’ power plants, Envision Solar, GreenFiber insulation, CoolWall exterior coating, and several lines of energy-efficient windows.
One notable move occurs at Univa (also listed here) where EMEA leadership will have roots at Novell.
Malaperiman has over 15 years experience in technology strategy and sales for some of the most successful IT companies in existence, including VMware and Novell. As head of Univa’s operations in EMEA, Patrick Malaperiman will oversee strategic business and sales in these key regions, where Univa is experiencing significant increases in demand.
More here.
Malaperiman has over 15 years experience in technology strategy and sales for IT companies, including VMware and Novell. As head of Univa’s operations in EMEA, Patrick Malaperiman will oversee strategic business and sales in these key regions, where Univa is experiencing increases in demand.
Dell gets a small portion of Novell staff as well.
So the hiring of Reynolds, who has spent 17 years in channel operations at Novell, Trend Micro and Palo Alto Networks, could very well signal a change for Dell—one that shows that Dell really is serious about adding professionals with channel DNA to the team.
A reference to Eric Schmidt at Novell appears at Information Week:
For business users, however, the story has been much different. Microsoft has used its operating system dominance to create what’s been an elegant and unrivaled marriage of office productivity applications, e-mail, and now collaboration with SharePoint. Google CEO Eric Schmidt has done this dance with Microsoft during his stints at Sun and Novell and knows better than to take on Microsoft at the business user’s desktop.
Novell people will participate in the Bomgar Roadshow (also found here).
“The Bomgar Roadshow agenda has been designed to drive efficiency and manage web-based support initiatives in demanding times. Participating in this event are executive members from Novell, Bomgar, Enterprise Management Associates and the CIO community. For individuals looking to address industry concerns and maximize the business value of peer-to-peer discussions, the roadshows will provide the resources and opportunity to gain significant business value,” said Glenn Willis, EVP, CIO Roadshows.
Partners
Novell IT tests are go a little further.
The Pearson VUE advanced computer-based testing system administers exams for leading IT certification programs such as Cisco®, CompTIA®, Citrix®, Novell® and others through a global network of quality test centers.
A company called Search Laboratory turns out to be working for Novell on subverting search engines.
Search Laboratory, whose clients include Novell, Jet2.com, TSG and LifeSize, was chosen after the company was able to demonstrate its expertise in Business to Business search marketing.
Novell is mentioned in the context of Distributed Management Task Force (DMTF) and it also participates in (and is thus mentioned in) the new lobby for FOSS in the United States. Novell’s PR people mentioned this the other day.
Minor mentions of Novell (mostly in press releases of other companies) can be found here, here, here, here, here, and here.
Video
Technical videos continue to be thrown onto YouTube. This new one comes from an obscure user, but NovellServices, which is a Novell account, has just put up there some more tutorials, namely:
- Novell Support Advisor 1.1
- 2009 07 21 1436 Zen 10 Configuration Mgmt
- 2009 07 21 1416 Zen10 Patch Management
Next week will be interesting for Novell because of the bankruptcy proceedings of SCO. █
