Novell Previews Technology Roadmap for Smart Global Network-- Focus on Providing Infrastructure for Networked World

Next Steps in Pervasive Computing will Provide Customer Access to Network Spanning the Globe

First, Frankenberg described how NetWare will be the foundation for building the Smart Global Network. NetWare will be extended to meet the emerging needs of electronic commerce, workgroup computing and business-to-business communication. Novell will strengthen its networking client support of all popular desktops -- Windows, Windows 95, Windows NT, Macintosh, OS/2, Unix -- and extend the NetWare environment to support all popular application servers including Windows NT, SCO Open Server, UnixWare, HP/UX and OS/2. Frankenberg said, "For the first time customers will have a single environment that integrates the heterogeneous computing platforms in use today." The NetWare operating system will also be enhanced to include memory protection, clustering, and distributed object management.

Second, Novell announced that in December 1995 it will deliver the first commercial availability of AT&T NetWare Connect Services (ANCS). This initiative provides breakthrough public data network services based on NetWare which will significantly simplify connecting organizations to public networks including the Internet. By using these services, users will participate in a highly available, secure network which is built upon NetWare services such as NetWare Directory Services (NDS). Announcements to expand this initiative through additional partnerships around the world will be made in coming weeks.

John Petrillo, president, AT&T Business Communication Services said, "Novell and AT&T share a vision of networks connecting people to information anytime, anyplace. Extending Novell's NetWare Directory Services to support UNIX, NT and other platforms, as well as NetWare itself, advances that vision significantly. Our partnership is a commitment to give business customers secure and reliable advanced services that will be as easy to use as the telephone."

In conjunction with these activities, Novell's Internet access products will be expanded with a new NetWare World Wide Web (WWW) Internet Server. Scheduled for delivery during the first quarter of 1996, this server allows millions of NetWare customers easy access to the vast power and resources of the Internet.

Third, Frankenberg described Net2000, a set of application programming interfaces which allows developers to fully exploit the capabilities of the Smart Global Network. These interfaces will be accessible from any device, desktop, or server platform. Net2000 is delivered as extensions to a number of programming tools, including popular computer languages and development environments for a variety of operating systems. "Now a programmer working in Microsoft Visual C++, or in Pascal for the Mac will have a consistent set of routines for accessing network services," said Sheldon Laube, Novell executive vice president and chief technology officer.

Fourth, Novell will lead in delivering new capabilities and features based on the Smart Global Network with its award-winning PerfectOffice suite of productivity applications. The release of PerfectOffice for Windows 95 will deliver a new set of networking features not available in other suites. These include applications management, network performance optimization, software distribution and NetWare Directory Services integration. Novell's next generation GroupWise product scheduled for the first half of 1996 embodies the essence of networked applications. This product will deliver a robust "Universal In Box"containing a user's e-mail, voice messages, FAXes, work assignments, task management and personal schedule. GroupWise will also include a full replication facility which enhances full mobile access and support.

Fifth, Frankenberg described how access to the Smart Global Network would be delivered through a variety of communications media and heterogeneous devices. He pointed out that networks are no longer limited to wire connections in an office, but that network access will be available through the phone system, over radio networks, over cable TV and soon over power lines. Frankenberg discussed the recent partnership with UtiliCorp United to provide the infrastructure for energy management applications that make connecting a device to the network as easy as plugging it into a wall.

"As the network expands to the masses, not everyone will use a PC to get connected," said Sheldon Laube. "Network access will enable common consumer devices from home appliances to automobiles to become smarter and easier to use."

Frankenberg also commented on the September 20th partnership announcement between Novell, Hewlett-Packard and Santa Cruz Operation. This partnership will consolidate, over time, HP-UX, UnixWare, and OpenServer into a single UNIX platform. As part of this agreement, NetWare services including NetWare Directory Service will become an integral part of this UNIX platform. Novell and HP also agreed work together to integrate NetWare services with Distributed Computing Environment (DCE).

Frankenberg highlighted the continued importance of partnerships to enable the Smart Global Network. "The Smart Global Network will be built through partnerships that focus on delivering value to customers both large and small," said Frankenberg.