Novell Delivers New Software Distribution Tool for Intranets and Corporate Networks
Novell Application Launcher 2.0 Simplifies Software Distribution, Easing Network Management
Tasks to Save Time and Money
PROVO, Utah -- April 21, 1997 -- Novell, Inc. today announced a new product that
lowers the cost of operating corporate networks and intranets by making it easier than ever for
administrators to distribute software programs to users across a network. The Novell Application Launcher
(NAL) version 2.0 integrates with Novell Directory Services (NDS ), the industry's most
powerful and widely used directory service, to automate the software distribution process and manage user
access to applications -- without the need for time-consuming scripts or expensive third-party tools.
Beginning next month, NAL 2.0 will be available free of charge via the World Wide Web to all customers
of Novell's NetWare® and IntranetWare, the world's best-selling network operating system,
and ManageWise®, the award-winning network management solution. NAL 2.0 expands on these
solutions that reduce total cost of ownership and management of a mixed network environment by
increasing network efficiency, reducing operating costs, and leveraging network investments.
"Centralized software distribution allows us to keep our users up-to-date with new applications in a more
timely manner than we currently can," said Dan Brunner, systems programmer and network engineer with
Administrative Computing Services at Western Washington University in Bellingham, Wash. "Using NAL,
I believe the overall cost savings will be over $100,000 a year. We won't need to hire more technicians and
will cut down considerably on overtime pay. We no longer have to go to each individual desktop and spend
a couple of hours installing and configuring software." Brunner is responsible for administering a
computing environment that includes about 40 NetWare servers -- 14 of which serve the entire campus
with the rest acting as departmental file and print servers-- with approximately 3,000 Windows 95 and
Windows 3.11 clients.
"Because we have integrated software distribution and management with the directory, we will significantly
reduce the time organizations spend maintaining their applications," said Marc Epstein, vice president of
Novell's Management Products Division. "This product is another example of how Novell continues to
simplify and streamline network management processes for our customers. The Novell Application
Launcher also builds on Novell's line of products for integrating Microsoft Windows NT, allowing
administrators to easily manage NT users and their access to applications and servers within IntranetWare
and NetWare environments."
How Novell Application Launcher 2.0 Works
In a February, 1996 total cost of ownership report, Gartner Group estimated that a company with 2,000
PCs can easily spend $1 million each year on minimal software application updates. Novell believes
Application Launcher 2.0 can help reduce that cost. It eases network management by leveraging the proven
capabilities of NDS to automate the software distribution process and managing user access to applications
on the network. Not only does the Novell Application Launcher eliminate the need for physically installing
software on each networked desktop, it relies on NDS user information to automate software distribution to
one user or an entire group of users through a simple drag-and-drop process. Unlike other software
distribution solutions, NAL eliminates the need to buy additional tools or spend hours writing tedious
scripts. NAL also offers network administrators a choice to either push applications onto the end-user's
desktop or to make the installation easily available so the end-user can pull the software to their desktop.
By using NDS as a foundation, access to files and directories are controlled and the entire process remains
secure.
Eliminating the time-intensive task of manual distribution also increases productivity for users, as they can
work uninterrupted while new applications are being added. Additionally, a special graphical user interface
(GUI) enables users to view which network applications they can access, so they can avoid making
unnecessary calls to their help desk. Because Network applications are managed through NDS, they're
automatically linked to users -- allowing them to "follow" users around the network. So, no matter where
they log in, users always see the same set of network applications, whether they're working remotely or
roaming the corporate campus.
Novell Application Launcher delivers advanced software distribution capabilities through several key
product features including:
- The ability to modify registries and .INI files, enabling network managers to distribute software to a
wide variety of client configurations, including Windows 3.1x, Windows 95 and Windows NT desktops,
and allowing organizations to leverage existing network investments.
- Pre-configured installation templates for popular applications, which silently and automatically run
install programs as specified and scheduled by administrators.
- Snapshot templates, which give administrators the ability to easily generate automated installation
templates for custom applications. These templates let administrators create customized packages of target
applications and any associated files without writing complicated scripts.
- Scheduled delivery, which allows administrators to schedule software distribution for off-peak hours.
Systems that are not turned on at night will load software upon booting up the following morning, or
portable systems will update the next time they are connected to the network.
- Streamlined set-up of target distribution lists for packages. Administrators can create software
distribution lists through NDS user and group selections.
- An auto-correct capability that reduces unnecessary calls to the help desk and reduces user down time
due to application problems by detecting and correcting corrupted or accidentally deleted program files,
.DLL files, or other startup files.
Novell Application Launcher fully integrates with IntranetWare and NetWare 4.x servers and snaps into
NetWare Administrator (NWAdmin), allowing network managers to distribute software and
administer user access to applications from a single interface. In addition, Novell Application Launcher can
scale to support networks of 100 users to networks of more than 100,000 users. NWAdmin works with
ManageWise to provide complete network and systems management capabilities to today's network
manager.
Pricing and Availability
The Novell Application Launcher will be available free of charge on Novell's World Wide Web site (http://www.novell.com) in May 1997. This free offer will extend
through October 31, 1997. In addition, the Novell Application Launcher will be available on the next
Novell Windows NT Integration CD, available in May of 1997. Go to the Novell World Wide Web site (http://www.novell.com) for more details.
About Novell
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, NetWare and ManageWise are registered trademarks and IntranetWare, NDS, NetWare
Administrator, Novell Directory Services is a trademark of Novell. All other companies and products are
trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
Press Contacts:
Deena Monchick
Novell, Inc.
Phone: (408) 577-7943
Internet: dmonchic@novell.com
Kim Nguyen
Cunningham Communication, Inc.
Phone: (415) 858-3776
Internet: kimn@ccipr.com
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