Novell celebrates 20 years as industry innovator

Novell Data Systems began life as a computer manufacturer and maker of disk operating systems. In January 1983, NDSI was reincorporated as Novell, Inc to design and market software used for data networks

Novell helped invent the corporate network in the early 1980s and continues to drive technology for the Net today. Network software began with the sharing of files and printers within local area networks (LANs) and evolved into the management of wide area networks that enabled enterprise-class computing.

Today, Novell is committed to providing the infrastructure for a world in which all types of networks - intranets, extranets and the Internet, corporate and public, wired to wireless - work together as one Net to simplify the complexities of e-business and provide the power and flexibility organizations need to succeed in the Net economy.

Novell Data Systems began life in 1979 as a computer manufacturer and maker of disk operating systems. In January 1983, Raymond J Noorda and Safeguard Scientific, a venture capital firm, reincorporated NDSI as Novell, Inc, to design and market software and hardware used for data networks.

Noorda, an experienced engineer and marketer, became president, chief executive officer and ultimately chairman of the board of the new company.

Under Noorda, Novell helped found the corporate network market with the introduction of the LAN. In 1983, Novell introduced NetWare, the first LAN software based on file-server technology. Novell developed a PC networking system that designated one machine to manage the network and control access to shared devices, such as disk drives and printers. This marked an important early step in the network revolution that has culminated today in the one Net economy.

Through the 1980s, corporate requirements for networks grew significantly, with LANs being increasingly replaced by wide area networks (WANs), which unified large corporate environments. By the early 1990s, Novell`s NetWare operating system, updated to add key features for distributed enterprises, led this market with a nearly 70% share.

In 1996, recognising that the Internet was beginning to revolutionize the traditional network market, interim CEO John Young initiated a program to make the company`s products Internet-ready.

Dr Eric Schmidt, formerly Sun Microsystems` chief technology officer, took over the reins at Novell in March 1997. Schmidt accelerated Novell`s efforts to leverage its core networking strengths in the Internet arena. He quickly announced a product roadmap to base all of Novell`s products on IP, the Internet communications protocol. The following year both NetWare 5, the server operating system, and Novell Directory Service (NDS), which had become the basis for new Net services software products from Novell, began shipping with native IP support.

With the increased heterogeneity in corporate networks and the need for interoperability across the Internet, Novell began in 1998 to promote NDS as a means to tie diverse platforms together. The company also began shipping the first of its new Net services software products that use information stored in the directory to simplify the management of networks and better secure access based on the identities of users. In late 1999, Novell released NDS eDirectory, a true cross-platform directory service that epitomised Novell`s commitment to interoperability and open standards, key Internet requirements.

In July 2001, Novell acquired Cambridge Technology Partners, a leading e-solutions consulting firm, to strengthen its ability to deliver both services and products to customers. The combination of Novell`s industry-leading technology and Cambridge`s business expertise gave Novell unparalleled strength to deliver networking solutions that help companies solve their e-business challenges. Jack Messman, formerly the CEO of Cambridge, became president and CEO of Novell.

In July 2002, Novell took another significant step forward in its ability to help customers achieve the one Net vision with its acquisition of SilverStream Software, a leader in Web-services oriented application development. The addition of SilverStream gives Novell a powerful, three-pronged Web services story. Novell has the business expertise in Cambridge Technology Partners to convert business processes to Web services.

It has a leading Web services application platform in SilverStream`s award-winning eXtend solution. Finally, it has Novell`s traditional secure, scalable and reliable networking and identity management infrastructure on which to run Web services-based applications. Web services are the logical next step in reaching one Net.

The one Net world envisioned by Novell - where intranets, extranets and the Internet, corporate and public, wired to wireless work together - presents challenges and opportunities for business. In a one Net world, individuals must be able to access their own information, the way they want it, any time, anywhere, from any device.

Businesses must manage their relationships with customers, partners and even their own employees electronically, using networking technology to determine who has access to what, when and how. With more than 20 years of experience, Novell remains at the forefront of this latest networking revolution, providing innovative solutions that help customers realise the enormous potential of a one Net world.