Novell Unveils Java-Enabled GroupWise Client
Java and HTML 3.0 Enhancements to GroupWise WebAccess Improve Collaborative
Functionality of GroupWise over the Internet
OREM, Utah -- February 6, 1997 -- Novell, Inc. today announced the upcoming
release of GroupWise WebAccess with Java and HTML 3.0 support. This new version will give
Internet/intranet users a more dynamic interface from which to access the advanced functionality
of GroupWise. An open beta is scheduled to be available in March via download from Novell's
Web site.
The Java and HTML 3.0 enhancements to GroupWise WebAccess make it as easy to use
GroupWise via the Internet as it is to use on the desktop by creating an intuitive browser interface
that is virtually identical to the GroupWise desktop environment. In addition, GroupWise
WebAccess is the only product on the market that gives users a single interface from which they
can send and retrieve E-mail, attachments, voice messages, facsimiles, calendar items,
appointments and tasks over the Internet.
"Since the first release of GroupWise WebAccess in 1996, our customers have rushed to take
advantage of platform-independent access to the Universal Mailbox," said Stewart Nelson, vice
president and general manager, Novell Applications Division. "Our goal is to merge the
sophisticated collaborative features of GroupWise with the flexibility and cost-effective
opportunities provided by the Internet. GroupWise WebAccess leverages Java and HTML 3.0
technologies, allowing customers to take advantage of all that GroupWise and the Internet have
to offer."
"Users today require a high degree of application functionality from browsers, particularly from a
groupware client," said Matt Cain, vice president, Workgroup Computing Strategies, META
Group, Inc., and a leading groupware analyst. "Novell's new version of GroupWise WebAccess
with Java applets and support for HTML 3.0 puts the GroupWise WebAccess client on par with
the traditional GroupWise desktop client."
Improved Web-Based Functionality
The upcoming version of GroupWise WebAccess will introduce a graphical, intuitive, Java-
enabled view of GroupWise to Internet/intranet users via a Web browser. Java and HTML 3.0
allow GroupWise WebAccess to overcome the previous limitations of HTML 1.0, offering full-
featured, interactive views of calendars, address books and messages that do not require the end
user to learn a new interface. Java's network-transportable functionality also offers Web users
improved efficiency by enabling them to simultaneously select multiple recipients from the NDS-
enabled (Novell Directory Services) GroupWise directory. Although GroupWise 5.1 offers this
capability, the limits of HTML 1.0 previously forced GroupWise WebAccess users to select one
user name at a time.
In addition, GroupWise users can now use the Internet to search co-workers' or meeting room
calendars for availability, which results in more efficient management of employee scheduling.
Users may also access GroupWise document libraries to search and retrieve copies of important
shared documents. The ability to send, receive and view attachments through GroupWise
WebAccess means that users may work with attachments, regardless of file format, over the
Internet without having to worry about complicated translation applications. As always, the
advanced security features inherent in GroupWise ensure the safety and integrity of any
GroupWise WebAccess transmission.
"By enhancing the GroupWise Web client, Novell is fast approaching its goal of providing a
feature-rich, dynamic and intuitive client for the only true universal platform -- the Internet,"
Nelson said. "GroupWise WebAccess is a true intranet solution that gives users the freedom to
choose how they access and work with their information, regardless of whether they're at the
office, at home or on the road."
GroupWise WebAccess Support and Availability
The Java-enabled version of GroupWise WebAccess requires HTML 3.0 and will run on
GroupWise 5 and future versions. GroupWise WebAccess is currently available for GroupWise
4.1 and GroupWise 5 and supports most popular operating systems including IntranetWare,
Windows NT and UNIX. Customers can download the GroupWise WebAccess open beta, which
will be available in March, from Novell's Public Beta Web site at http://support.novell.com/home/pubbeta/.
For more information about GroupWise or GroupWise WebAccess, call (800) 861-2507, any
local Novell office or Novell representative, or visit Novell's Web site at http://www.novell.com/groupwise/.
Today, GroupWise 5.1 is the industry's only expanded client/server E-mail system to include full
document management capabilities as part of a new Universal Mailbox. The Universal Mailbox
also gives users single-point access to personal calendaring, group scheduling, tasks, voice mail,
faxes, documents and other message types both from the desktop and via the Internet using
GroupWise WebAccess. In 1997, Novell also will deliver the eagerly awaited technology
initiative, the Jefferson Project, which will allow organizations to create, manage and publish
documents to the World Wide Web, as well as to corporate intranets.
Supporting Open Standards
Novell has been a pioneer in the development and implementation of industry standards and will
continue to play an integral role in the design of and adherence to future standards, particularly as
they pertain to the Internet.
GroupWise 5.1 currently provides native support for open Internet standards and protocols,
including SMTP/MIME, HTTP, HTML, TCP-IP and LDAP (client). Support for POP3, LDAP
(Lightweight Directory Access Protocol), IMAP4 and S-MIME (Secure Multipurpose Internet
Mail Extension) will be available in the second calendar quarter of this year.
The Novell Applications Division participates in the following standards organizations: Internet
Engineering Task Force (IETF); World Wide Web Consortium (W3C); and Electronic Messaging
Association (EMA). As part of its involvement in the IETF, the division participates in the
document management, calendaring, scheduling and secure messaging workgroups, which are
working to define future industry standards in those areas.
Founded in 1983, Novell (NASDAQ:NOVL) is the world's leading provider of network software.
The company offers a wide range of network solutions for distributed network, Internet, intranet
and small-business markets. Novell education and technical support programs are the most
comprehensive in the network computing industry. Information about Novell's complete range of
products and services can be accessed on the World Wide Web at http://www.novell.com.
Novell is a registered trademark and GroupWise and GroupWise WebAccess are trademarks of
Novell. All other companies and products are trademarks or registered trademarks of their
respective companies.
Press Contacts:
Kristin Schultz
Novell, Inc.
(801) 228-5124
Internet: kschultz@novell.com
Meghan O'Leary
Cunningham Communication, Inc.
(415) 858-3765
Internet: meghan@ccipr.com
|