Novell Helps Individuals and Organizations Increase Their Net Worth

Building on the Success of Certification Month, Novell Now Offers Exam Discounts, New Courses, Special Programs, and Sweepstakes

OREM, UT, -- March 19, 1997 -- During the first two weeks of Novell's third annual March Certification Month, more than 1,500 individuals -- and the businesses who sponsor them -- have increased their net worth by earning Novell certification, the global standard for networking professionals. The momentum that Novell has built up around Certification Month is being extended to a new promotion, titled Increase Your Net Worth, that rewards individuals and sponsoring organizations for completing a Novell certification or registering for Novell-authorized training by April 30, 1997.

"Similar to the way C.P.A. certification has come to stand for proficiency in the accounting field, the Certified Novell Administrator (CNA), Certified Novell Engineer (CNE), Master CNE, and Novell Certified Internet Professional certifications have become the global standard for hiring, compensating, and promoting network support professionals," said Gary Clark, director of skills assessment for Novell Education. "More companies ask that their information technology (IT) employees be Novell-certified than any other networking certification, and more jobs require it."

How Certifications Increase Net Worth

On an individual level, Novell certification is proven to increase the net worth of network professionals. A new study, to be released next week, shows that CNEs receive, on average, an 18% increase in salary upon certification (Novell Certifications: Dare to Compare, March 1997). Similarly, organizations increase their net worth by ensuring that their IT staffs are trained and certified. Research from Novell, International Data Corp. and DataQuest confirm that certification costs are recouped by organizations within nine months or less."Novell-authorized training and certification is a strategic investment for organizations. Hiring qualified people with the most current skills ensures that the full potential and power of their networking investment is realized," said Jerry Christensen, vice president of marketing for Novell Education.

Increase Your Net Worth Promotion

Building on the success of Certification Month, Novell's Increase Your Net Worth promotion offers exam discounts, new courses, special program offers, and a sweepstakes. Novell certified professionals and those interested in becoming certified can visit http://education.novell.com/networth/ for details.

"Our goal is to encourage people to increase their professional net worth by completing a Novell certification and enrolling in Novell-authorized training before April 30, 1997," said Christensen. Novell's newest certifications focus on Internet and intranet skills for technical (the Internet/Intranet track of the Master CNE) and marketing (the Novell Certified Internet Professional) careers. Novell Education's latest courses include: Building Intranets with IntranetWare and IntranetWare: Integrating Windows NT.

Novell's Increase Your Net Worth promotion showcases the benefits of obtaining Novell certification and training. Avo Amirian, president of Pinnacle Communication Services, is one CNE who says "becoming a CNE changed my life." He says he was able to start his own company and grow the business to 25 employees. To him, the CNE program has been a way for him to validate his knowledge and understanding of Novell products and apply it to his career. "My confidence level was boosted to new heights," he explained. "I understand more about the real world and have better access to resources and technical knowledge that I apply within my company."

About Novell Education

The pioneer in information technology education programs, Novell Education has been certifying industry and network professionals since 1986. Since then, Novell Education has continued to be the industry innovator and leader in skills development and assessment. Worldwide, this month Novell congratulates 130,000 (CNAs); 110,000 CNEs; 7,000 Master CNEs; and 5,000 Certified Novell Instructors (CNIs).

To locate a Novell Authorized Education Center or Novell Education Academic Partner near you, consult Novell Education's web site at http://education.novell.com. Customers in North America can call 800-233-EDUC.

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 and NetWare are registered trademarks, and CNA, Certified Novell Administrator, CNE, Master CNE, CNI, Certified Novell Instructor, Novell Certified Internet Professional, NAEC, Novell Authorized Education Center, NEAP and Novell Education Academic Partner are registered service marks, service marks or trademarks of Novell, Inc., in the United States and other countries.

Press Contact:
Novell Education Public Relations
Phone: 801-228-EDPR
Internet: EDPR@novell.com

Sneak Preview Opportunity! Call 801-228-EDPR or EDPR@novell.com today to get a copy of the complete Novell Certifications: Dare to Compare white paper that will be released at BrainShare March 27, 1997.

Increase Your Net Worth Promotions

Exam Discount

From April 1-30, 1997, individuals who purchase any instructor-led course from a Novell Authorized Education Center (NAEC) will receive a 25 percent discount on the corresponding exam. Individuals will receive a discount voucher when they purchase an exam at their NAEC.

Certification Bonus

Individuals who earn a Novell certification before April 30, 1997 will receive a certification-specific bonus pack that includes a copy of The Guide, a CD-ROM tool designed to determine certification's return on investment, as well as provide program descriptions, requirements, sample test questions, and/or valuable Novell software and productivity tools.

Increase Your Net Worth Sweepstakes

Individuals can qualify to win one of four Compaq Deskpro 6000 MMX200 Multimedia computers by purchasing authorized Novell Education products from an NAEC. Individuals qualify by: completing a Novell certification; purchasing a Novell-authorized instructor-led course; purchasing self-study materials or computer-based training; taking a Novell certification exam; or updating contact information on-line at http://www.education.novell.com/networth.

In addition to the grand prize awarded to the student, the organization sponsoring the training (if applicable) receives a CNA Certification Pack which includes a CNA course and exam. Proof of purchase must be accompanied by an entry form available off the web site. Entries should be faxed to 801-222-7875 or 801-222-7777 by July 31, 1997. The winners will be determined during a live drawing on the Internet August 15, 1997.

New Course Bonus

The first 100 individuals to purchase Novell Education's newest course, IntranetWare: Integrating Windows NT, before April 30 receive a Novell Productivity Pack valued at US $15,000. Students must submit their proof of purchase along with the sweepstakes entry form to Novell by faxing to 801-222-7875 or 801-222-7777 or sending via e-mail to networth@novell.com.