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Novell Reduces Network, Server and Desktop Management Costs with ManageWise 2.5 New version of ManageWise offers improved NT desktop management, virus protection,
software distribution, and reporting capabilities NETWORLD+INTEROP, Atlanta, GA -- October 7, 1997 -- Novell, Inc. today moved further ahead as the leader in network services with ManageWise 2.5, the next release of the industry-leading management solution that monitors and controls PC/LAN environments from end to end. The 2.5 release of ManageWise adds NT desktop management, InocuLAN virus protection, software distribution, and additional reporting capabilities to ManageWise's proven desktop management, network analysis, and server management services. These management services, now integrated with industry-leading Novell Directory Services (NDS), can save organizations up to $1,000 per user each year by reducing the time needed to maintain a network and minimizing unnecessary software and hardware purchases.* In a September 19, 1997 report, META Group suggested that organizations should implement an automated PC/LAN management solution. META states that inventory, electronic software distribution, and remote control/diagnostic tools are currently under-utilized within their client base. The same report goes on to say that, given their relatively small impact on the end-user computing experience, IT should look to implement these tools immediately. "We use ManageWise across 850 servers and it saves us substantial amounts of money every year," said Christo van Rensburg, IT Consultant at Telkom SA Ltd., responsible for a ManageWise project that covers over 20,000 nodes in the South African telecommunications network. "The software inventory component in ManageWise recently warned us that we were under-estimating product usage for a major site license, which we were then able to adjust in a timely manner. We are also using software& hardware inventory to gather important information to ascertain our Year Two Thousand risks. ManageWise 2.5 includes several new features we've been looking for, the NT remote control and the new reporting capabilities are particularly important for us."ManageWise 2.5 performs software and hardware inventory on NT desktops automatically. The desktop remote control capabilities in ManageWise 2.5 reduce the time customers spend troubleshooting problems by minimizing "sneaker time" and enabling IS support staff to solve problems directly from the ManageWise Console. With ManageWise, desktop troubleshooting becomes quick and easy because ManageWise automatically notifies the IS administrator if any configuration changes have occurred on the system. ManageWise 2.5 provides new reports that include extensive server performance summary and trend information. These reports help IS plan for software and hardware upgrades by tracking performance statistics and warning IS when the system will require upgrades. Regular reports such as these give IS managers an early warning system, so they can avoid surprise network crisis situations. The ManageWise 2.5 management suite offers award winning virus protection with Computer Associates' industry-leading InocuLAN anti-virus software. ManageWise customers receive a license to run fully functioning CA InocuLAN on each ManageWise 2.5 server. Other servers will also have license to run a customized version of InocuLAN which is upgradeable to the full version of InocuLAN through Novell or CA channel partners. InocuLAN protects desktops and servers from virus-caused damage by detecting and repairing virus attacks on the system. InocuLAN is certified by the National Computer Security Association to detect and cure 100% of viruses in the wild, including the rapidly spreading macro viruses. InocuLAN uses a combination of virus detection technologies including a rules-based heuristic scanning engine that identifies programs that exhibit suspicious, virus-like behavior. To keep their virus protection up to date, customers use ManageWise with InocuLAN to automatically download and distribute these updates to all servers and clients on the network. Automated Software Distribution ManageWise 2.5 includes the Novell Application Launcher which reduces the cost of software management by minimizing the time necessary to distribute software. NAL enables enterprise- wide software distribution from a central console, removing the requirement to visit and physically install software at each desktop. By basing software distribution on Novell Directory Services (NDS), each application can be distributed to one user or an entire groups of users based on the user's identity and role in the company. Using NAL, IS managers can choose to either push applications automatically onto the user's desktop or make the application installation available so the users can pull the software to their desktop at their convenience. Network applications are also managed through NAL and NDS and so are automatically linked to each user. This allows the applications to follow users around the network, so no matter where users log in, they always have access to the network applications they need. "We are expanding the scope of network, system, and desktop management by using Novell Directory Services. The directory is the key to information on and access to everything in the network," said Robin McKinnon, marketing manager of the ManageWise Group at Novell. "ManageWise currently uses a combination of industry standard management technologies like SNMP and RMON and some revolutionary NDS-based technologies as demonstrated by NAL. By basing our management solutions on the directory, we will offer customers more comprehensive and flexible management services than anyone else in the industry. Keep your eye out for future ManageWise and other management solutions from Novell next year, they are going to blow your socks off." ManageWise in the Enterprise ManageWise 2.5 offers PC/LAN capabilities suited to the enterprise network through database integration with NDS. With ManageWise and NDS for NT, announced today in the "Novell Activates NT Server for the Enterprise" press release, Novell offers comprehensive management and administration solutions for mixed IntranetWare and Windows NT environments. Other functionality can be added to ManageWise 2.5 through a host of partner applications that snap-in to the ManageWise platform. ManageWise platform compatible applications are already on the market from partners like Compaq, Geneva Software, NetPro Computing, and 4th Planet. More information on ManageWise snap-in partner products is available at http://www.novell.com/products/managewise/partners. ManageWise also integrates with other enterprise management platforms such as CA's Unicenter TNG, Tivoli's TME10, and HP's Open View for Unix to enable customers to integrate their PC/LAN management information with their enterprise management system. Pricing and Availability A new simplified pricing scheme will be associated with ManageWise 2.5. The product will begin shipping to customers in November 1997. All customers who have purchased ManageWise 2.1 on or after September 1, 1997 will receive a free ManageWise 2.5 upgrade. For more details visit ManageWise at the Novell web site (http://www.novell.com). About ManageWise ManageWise is an integrated set of management services that monitor and control LAN environments from end to end. ManageWise enables administrators to easily manage NetWare/IntranetWare servers, analyze network traffic, automate network inventory, remotely control and manage networks and workstations, administer network applications, and prevent virus infiltration -- all from a central workstation. By adding Novell's ManageWise Agent for Windows NT Server, administrators can also seamlessly manage Windows NT servers. 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, as well as the network computing industry's most comprehensive education and technical support programs. Information about Novell and its complete range of products and services can be accessed on the World Wide Web as http://www.novell.com. *IDC, 1996 Novell, IntranetWare, NetWare, and ManageWise are registered trademarks and Novell Directory Services, NDS, and Novell Application Launcher are trademarks of Novell, Inc. InocuLAN is a trademark of Computer Associates. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Press Contacts:
Deena Monchick
Gordon Evans |
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