Next version of leading small business solution enters beta testing

PROVO, Utah — September 29, 1998 — Novell, Inc. today announced open beta testing of NetWare® for Small Business 4.2, the latest version of the company's industry-leading networking solution for small businesses. The new version augments Novell's leadership as a provider of easy-to-use, customizable networking solutions for small businesses. NetWare for Small Business 4.2 is Year 2000-ready and includes an increased user count that will allow organizations to expand their networks at their own pace, as well as new features and technologies developed to help small businesses quickly and easily connect to the Internet.

The licensing scheme enables organizations to add up to 50 users, one at a time. This is more in line with the needs of growing businesses today according to feedback received from customers, resellers and OEM partners.

To harness the power of the Internet and to maximize the effectiveness of a small business's limited resources, NetWare for Small Business 4.2 includes a new Internet Connection Wizard. This tool makes it easier for small businesses to connect their networks to the Internet by automating the process. Network administrators or resellers need only fill in answers to a series of questions and the Internet Connection Wizard does the rest. With the speed advantages provided by Novell BorderManager FastCache, also new in NetWare for Small Business 4.2, users obtain a fast, simple way to connect to the Internet and leverage all of the information resources and technology benefits therein.

"We received positive feedback from our customer base with NetWare for Small Business 4.11," said Rick Balazs, product line manager at Novell. "We listened to our customers who provided great suggestions. Providing user-friendly, high-performance Internet solutions and flexibility for growth were two of the most commonly cited changes, and we are excited to offer those enhancements to our small-business customers in NetWare for Small Business 4.2."

Everything small business customers need to network

NetWare for Small Business 4.2 continues Novell's tradition of providing organizations with everything they need to get the most out of internal networks and the Internet:

• ZEN Starter Pack 1.01-- the same ZEN starter pack included in Novell's flagship server operating system, NetWare 5

• 32-bit Novell Easy Administration Tool (NEAT) -- this new 32-bit version, like its predecessor, leverages Novell Directory Services® (NDS™) to provide a single point of administration; it also enables GroupWise administration

• NetWare Management Agent (NMA) -- allows a reseller to remotely monitor their customers' networks providing customers with the most reliable networking platform

• Netscape Communicator 4.04 -- browse the Internet with the industry-leading Web browser and view the extensive on-line documentation for NetWare for Small Business

• Netscape FastTrack Server for NetWare -- the fastest Intel-based Web server available

• A Multi-protocol Router -- enables customers to dial-up to the Web

• Oracle8 -- a five-user version of the most popular database software available

• Tobit FaxWare 5 -- an equal license count provides inbound and outbound faxing from each workstation

• Novell SBackup, the NetWare 5 GUI-Based Backup Utility -- a new backup utility provides backup and archiving to ensure network data is protected in case of an emergency for each licensed user of NetWare for Small Business

Novell Customers Support NetWare for Small Business

"Our marina frequently communicates weather and wave height information to boaters. Because this information is derived from the Internet, our business needs a networking solution that provides easy, fast access to the Web," said Sandy Harrington, chief accountant for the Waukegan Port District near Chicago. "We selected NetWare for Small Business 4.11, for its reliable Internet access capabilities, including GroupWise 5.2 and Netscape's FastTrack Web Server. In the 4.2 upgrade, Novell is expanding the product's Internet capabilities with an Internet Connection Wizard to simplify the connection process and BorderManager FastCache to speed the time in which we can access and deliver information to boaters. Based on these enhancements, NetWare for Small Business will continue to meet our critical business needs and as such, will remain our networking software of choice."

Small Business Specialist Training

Training for Novell's Small Business Specialists will begin September 29 in 25 cities throughout North America, and will provide free sales and technical training to any reseller. Interested resellers should go to www.novell.com/events/seminar.html for locations and dates.

How to participate

Customers interested in participating in Novell's open beta for NetWare for Small Business 4.2 should point their browsers to http://www.novell.com/smallbiz. Beta testers who wish to report issues should do so at http://support.novell.com/beta/authorized. The pin number is 954046. Pricing for the final product, which is due to ship Q4 1998, is not yet available.

About Novell

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 at http://www.novell.com.

Novell and NetWare are registered trademarks and NDS is a trademark of Novell, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective holders.

Press Contacts:
Shannon Harmon Shupe
Novell, Inc.
Phone: (801) 228-5126
Internet: sharmon@novell.com

Nan Stillinger
Cunningham Communication, Inc.
Phone: (650) 858-3772
Internet: nstillinger@ccipr.com