Johannesburg, 06 Oct 1999
Novell has launched digitalme, a new identity management service that brings a greater level of convenience, freedom, and control to the Internet.
Digitalme leverages powerful Novell Directory Services (NDS) technology to make life easier on the Internet for consumers and empower them to take control of how their personal information is shared, used, and maintained on the Net. The digitalme technology is targeted at e-businesses, including portals, ASPs/ISPs and retail companies that want to enable their customers to control their identities on the Web and enjoy conveniences such as single-click buying.
"In the first wave of online growth, people focused on the basics of learning how to access and navigate the Internet," says Novell managing director Richard Beytagh. "Digitalme is ushering in the next wave, where simplicity is paramount and the consumer is in control of his or her personal information. This new consumer-focused era on the Net is what we call meBusiness."
Novell also announced support for its identity management strategy from partners including Compaq and Intel, as well as alliances with a new wave of Internet ISVs who will deliver complementary services to digitalme. The growing list of alliances and partners includes AOL, ClickMarks, EZ Login, Facetime Communications, Just On, Knowledge Navigators, Privaseek, Verisign and White Pine.
"Identity management is a key industry challenge as we move into the next generation of e-business computing. The evolution towards a more customer-centric model will require tools allowing users and businesses to effectively manage identities in a secure fashion," said John Davies, vice president of e-Business Marketing at Intel Corporation. "Technologies from Novell, like NDS and digitalme, complement Intel`s vision of the demanding Internet economy."
"Digitalme arrives at a time when the digital world has grown increasingly complex for consumers. According to a recent survey sponsored by Novell, the average online user has to remember between three and four passwords to access their favorite Web sites, and more than 20 percent of users have three or more e-mail accounts," says Beytagh.
"Eighty-four percent of people are concerned about how the personal information they provide to Web sites is used, and five out of six are reluctant to use a Web site that requires personal information. And consumers have a difficult time keeping their digital identity up to date: less than one in five remembers to notify a Web site when key personal information changes," he adds.
Based on NDS, digitalme takes advantage of Novell`s expertise and experience with the directory software that has helped companies manage and control computer network and user information for nearly seven years. Digitalme brings proven, mature NDS capabilities to the Internet, arguably the world`s largest network. Digitalme uses NDS to store consumers` personal information such as passwords, user names, account numbers, bookmarks and preferences in a secure, private directory. With NDS on the back-end, consumers can be sure their digitalme experience will be reliable and secure.
Digitalme`s free services are accessed through www.digitalme.com, which is divided into three areas: meCards, Contacts, and Web Center. New users begin by filling in a Master Profile form that is the basis for building meCards. MeCards contain a wide range of information that users might choose to share with friends, associates and e-businesses, from the basics like name and address to their many web passwords, favorite color, shoe size and preferred airline. Since each individual controls what information is shared, he or she will always know when, how and by whom their personal information is being used.
With personal information stored in an ultra-secure, private directory, digitalme provides automatic sign-on to Web sites and eliminates the need to remember multiple passwords. As soon as a digitalme user elects to register with a new site, a personal proxy system intercepts the necessary registration forms, automatically fills them in, and provides a completed form for review. The next time the user accesses the Web site, digitalme automatically handles the sign-on process.
The "Contact" area of digitalme.com will house a dynamic address book that contains contact information for users and other members of the digitalme community, including friends, business associates, and e-businesses. When user information changes, they simply update the address book just once and the change will be reflected throughout all their personal contacts.
The Contact area will also store all meCards that a user receives from others and will enable instant messaging. Instant messaging allows computer users to carry on quick on-screen conversations with one other. Unlike email messages, an instant message is the electronic equivalent of a ringing phone because it pops up on the recipient`s screen right away.
The genesis of the digitalme concept occurred when a Novell executive was traveling for business, found himself unable to access a crucial Web site from a remote location and could not remember his user name and password specific to that site. He and Novell quickly realized that consumers needed a simpler and more efficient way to use the Internet.
Digitalme users can access all of their information - including personal preferences and contact information - at any time and from any location, regardless of which PC they use. Digitalme is a "zero-byte" technology, meaning that people do not need to download any software to activate digitalme. It is platform-independent and supports all major network operating systems, including NetWare, NT, Solaris, IBM and Linux.
With digitalme technology, e-businesses, including portals, ASPs/ISPs, and retail companies stand to gain greater customer retention and satisfaction by offering an enhanced online experience. For existing online businesses or vertical portals, digitalme can create broad communities of interest and offer new personalised services. By offering these new services, e-businesses will be able to responsibly use customer information, enabling permission-based marketing, more trusted relationships, and respect for personal privacy.
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