Lead Off!
It used to be that an organization might refer to themselves as an IBM shop, a Microsoft shop or even a Novell shop. The reality we see today is different. When you look at what it takes to run your enterprise, the reasons for a more open approach are clear. Today we require specialized desktops, applications and even servers to accomplish specialized tasks. You need the right tools to get the job done. There has to be more than just a one-size-fits-all approach.
In the past, this need for specialization typically meant things were difficult to manage. Costs could quickly skyrocket out of control. So look at your need for flexibility and choice next to the reality of the requirement for enterprise class stability, reliability and security. How do you do it? Standards.
You know you don't want to be locked in to a single vendor. That model never seems to work well—at least not for the party that's locked in. So it's clear your ability to make choices is critical. And with a strategy that builds your enterprise as a living, breathing, open system, based on industry standards, you get the best possible solutions.
A strategy with interoperability, flexibility and, of course, security—all built on open standards—is what Novell provides. In fact, Novell's stated mission is to lead as a provider of open enterprise software. This means giving organizations software and services that are open and offer the enterprise class benefits mentioned above. Because it's all based on open standards you have a path to the future and a field of options ahead of you.
SUSE Linux Enterprise 10 is a great example of how we've combined the virtues of open standards and a world-class business ecosystem to deliver what customers need. Novell offers power, flexibility and an open enterprise from the desktop to the data center. In fact, from front to back office, SUSE Linux Enterprise 10 is the first of its kind to have fully integrated and supported, enterprise-grade virtualization capabilities using Xen. Businesses are always being pushed to be more productive with less. With virtualization in SUSE Linux Enterprise 10, you do just that. Now you can read more about the details of how you can do it in A Hardened Back End.
And when it comes to tackling the tasks of general knowledge workers or typical office workers SUSE Linux Enterprise 10 shines. From word processors and spreadsheets to e-mail clients and Web browsers, it's all there. Among the many improvements in the new version of the desktop are an integrated desktop search engine, enhanced user interface functionality, native VBA spreadsheet macro support, enhanced 3-D accelerated graphics and more. For the full story, read Nuts About the Desktop.
We've made many exciting announcements recently including ZENworks 7 for Linux, Dell edition featuring specialized functionality for managing Dell PowerEdge servers running either SUSE Linux or Red Hat. (See Dell Does Linux.) For a full recap of the news from our recent BrainShare, including keynotes and demonstrations delivered at BrainShare, read Opening Up the Real World to Innovation.
Last, but certainly not least, Novell just announced its acquisition of e-Security, a leader in security information management and continuous monitoring solutions. In layman's terms, e-Security solutions can help you monitor all your systems and applications in real-time throughout your enterprise regardless of platform or location and alert you when something is amiss or out of compliance.
Gartner has rated e-Security solutions as the leader in the Magic Quadrant for Security Information and Event Management. With its new family of products, Novell is the first to deliver a single view of security and compliance across the enterprise. We're combining the benefits of identity and systems management with real-time compliance monitoring. Yes, IT's Watching reviews the benefits of and real-world uses for these critical security solutions.
So if you're not currently running an open enterprise, now's the perfect time to start. Let us help you implement the mix of open source and proprietary software that works for your organization to create your open enterprise. Just remember, building on open standards will help you grow how you need to in the future.
As always, we love to hear from you. Let us know what's on your mind or if you have feedback for us. Send e-mail to editor@novell.com. Enjoy this issue of Novell Connection.