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Novell Launches $17 Million PartnerNet Scholarship Program Rewards and Simplifies Advanced CNE Skills Training OREM, Utah -- January 8, 1996 -- Novell, Inc. today announced a $17 million scholarship program for its North American PartnerNet channel in response to brisk market demand for NetWare 4.1 and GroupWise solution design, installation and support skills. Through this program, channel partners and customers will benefit from the increased availability of certified Novell support professionals. Over the next year, Novell will deliver thousands of student kits, computer based training courses, discount coupons for courses and coupons for free skills testing to Novell's high-level Platinum and Gold level partners.PartnerNet is a key component of Novell's strategy to enable the Smart Global Network by connecting today's private business networks and the Internet into a single information resource for businesses and consumers. Support expertise in Novell's advanced products is critical to providing access to networks that extend beyond traditional LANs to connect businesses with customers, partners and suppliers. Advanced PartnerNet skills are in growing demand. In 1995, Novell increased its marketing of NetWare 4.1, resulting in growth of NetWare 4 revenues by 246 percent and installations to more than six million network nodes. According to market analysts, NetWare outshipped all other network operating systems combined by nearly a 2-to-1 margin in 1995, and outshipped Microsoft Windows NT Server, used as a file and print server, by more than a 4-to-1 margin. Simultaneously, GroupWise revenue rose 49 percent and the installed base surpassed five million users. "We will definitely take advantage of this program," said Samuel Adicoff, president of Edge Information Systems, Inc., a Northern California based Novell Platinum level systems integrator with extensive NetWare Directory Services (NDS) design and implementation experience. "It's a great opportunity to get our CNEs trained on current NetWare and GroupWise technologies at greatly reduced costs. The multifaceted nature of the program means that different companies and individuals can choose the form of training that works best." The $17 million training investment demonstrates Novell's commitment to the smooth growth of its PartnerNet channel. Novell mapped out the scholarship investments with its PartnerNet council during NetWorld+InterOp last September. Novell and the council quickly agreed on the program structure, investment priorities and training options. Training options include Novell student kits, computer-based training courses, discount coupons for courses and free skills testing. "It is increasingly difficult and costly to keep up with demands for new technologies," said Michael Gansl, president of NETLAN, Inc., a New York-based networking systems integrator established 11 years ago and the first Novell Platinum level partner in New York. "A Novell scholarship program that gives us incentives to fulfill these requirements is to our advantage. With better trained personnel and better educated customers, we have more opportunity to demonstrate the value proposition that networking technology can provide to business." The December roll-out represents the first phase of the year-long program, which supplements normal PartnerNet benefits for Platinum and Gold level partners. "The PartnerNet channel is one of our strongest differentiators," said Kerry Brock, director of reseller marketing. "We designed this scholarship program with our reseller councils to ensure that our channel partners maintain their competitive advantage and identity -- the most knowledgeable, experienced and reliable source of up-to-date networking solutions in the world." More than 30,000 people attended Novell's NetWare 4.1: "First Class" promotion between July and September. Students attending "First Class" are opting for continued NetWare 4.1 training. Overall, Novell estimates that there are more than 72,000 CNEs, 75,000 Certified Novell Administrators and 3,000 Certified Novell Instructors. In addition, Novell trains more than 62,500 student customers every month. For more information on Novell, its sales programs, offices and channel partners, visit the Novell world wide web site at http://www.novell.com. Novell PartnerNet channel members can receive additional information through the Novell Reseller Electronic Communication System or by contacting a Novell sales office. Novell (NASDAQ: NOVL) is the world's leading network software provider. Novell software provides the infrastructure for a networked world, enabling our customers to connect with other people and the information they need, anytime and anyplace. Novell partners with other technology and market leaders to help customers make networks a part of their everyday lives.
Press Contacts:
Ken Montgomery |
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