Novell Net Services software helps airlines take flight and airports stay grounded

Novell is simplifying the complexities of the Net for the air transportation industry, securely extending and integrating applications and networks and accelerating the transformation to e-business for major carriers and airport operators around the world. American Airlines, Lufthansa and Midwest Express Airlines, among others, use Novell Net services software to secure and power their networks across leading operating systems, creating one Net for employees, customers, vendors and partners. In an industry where getting the right information to the right people at the right time - anywhere in the world - determines business success, Novell provides the reliability, security, speed and access airlines need to succeed.

Novell is also helping speed travellers on their way by providing Net services software to airports and airport operators such as the Port of San Diego, the Chicago Department of Aviation, Manchester Airport in the United Kingdom, Zurich Airport in Switzerland, and Frankfurt Airport, Nuernberg Airport and air traffic controller DFS in Germany.

"To operate thousands of flights daily, including keeping airlines and passengers constantly informed, we require a complex, multi-application system that relies on a wide array of computers, communications connections and people to operate," said Norbert Richter, system planner for Frankfurt Airport. "This massive, widely distributed system uses Novell software and services to tie it all together securely, leveraging our existing technology investment so we can better serve our customers and partners while keeping costs down."

To deliver passengers and cargo safely, efficiently and on time to thousands of destinations every day, airlines and airports require reliable, cost-effective technology that operates across multiple platforms and across widely distributed networks. Few industries face a greater challenge in managing a mobile workforce and multiple sites than the air transportation business. Airlines and airports require the reliability, security and flexibility that Novell`s Net services provide.

"As the transportation industry evolves to better meet its customer demands, Novell is providing our airline and airport customers, along with customers in all industries, with the power to change," said Carl Ledbetter, Novell senior vice president and chief technology officer. "We`re helping them rapidly adapt to new opportunities and efficiently respond to competitive threats in the Net economy, while letting them see a return on their technology investment immediately. That`s the promise of Novell Net services software, a promise realised by these and other customers around the world."

As travel is now the top business-to-consumer e-commerce category worldwide, airlines and airports need to be building solid network infrastructures that can handle the increase in traffic and that have the flexibility to grow as new technologies are developed. According to Gartner, estimates of the US online leisure travel market for 2003 vary from $15 billion to $20 billion (about R120 billion to R160 billion).

These major airlines and airports together use a spectrum of Novell Net services software to run their businesses better. With NDS eDirectory and iChain to control individuals` access to the network, ZENworks for managing distributed desktops and servers, GroupWise for secure collaboration, BorderManager for overall network security, and NetWare as the most reliable Net services foundation on the market, airlines and airports running Novell Net services software are simplifying, securing and accelerating their move to e-business. Professional services from Novell Consulting, Novell Technical Services and Novell Education help these carriers get the most out of their technology investment by providing the expertise they need to run their networks at maximum power.