Directory-Based Desktop Management Solution Makes Using Networked PCs Easier and
Lowers Administration Costs
PROVO, Utah November 16, 1998 Continuing its commitment to provide
directory-based solutions that lower the cost of owning a network, Novell®, Inc. today announced the
first customer shipment of Z.E.N.works 1.1. Based on Novell Directory Services®
(NDS), Z.E.N.works provides software distribution, desktop maintenance and desktop management
to make using Windows-based PCs and thin clients easier for end-users while reducing costly maintenance
and troubleshooting tasks for administrators. The new version of Z.E.N.works is bundled with a five-user
version of Check 2000 from Greenwich Mean Time, the leading developer of Year 2000 software. The two
products will help businesses assess their networks for Year 2000 bugs, deploy Year-2000 ready products
and apply appropriate fixes to ease the transition into the next millennium. Additional new features for
Z.E.N.works 1.1 include software metering, support for NetWare® 5 and integration with Novell's
network and systems management solution ManageWise® 2.6.
"Desktop maintenance is the greatest expense in almost every network,"said Ed McGarr, vice president of
product marketing for Novell. "With the first version of Z.E.N.works, many customers eagerly took
advantage of the opportunity to leverage NDS infrastructure in reducing those desktop maintenance costs.
Now, many customers are in the midst of preparing their networks for the Year 2000; and Z.E.N.works
1.1, bundled with Check 2000, offers much needed assistance in efficiently assessing and repairing Year
2000-related desktop problems. This bundle gives companies the opportunity to continue managing
network growth without disruption into the next century."
Year 2000 Assessment
As the Year 2000 swiftly approaches, organizations must identify any and all problems that will arise in
their networks due to software bugs that record years using only the last two digits. Check 2000 a
diagnostic tool that scans workstation hardware, software and data for Year 2000 bugs is bundled with
Z.E.N.works 1.1, enabling companies to prepare their networks for the next century by providing
assistance in three critical steps. The two products will aid in identifying and alerting network
administrators of potential Year 2000-related issues; allow administrators to repair problems by pushing
manufacturer's recommended solutions or other fixes to all network desktops and resources; and assist in
maintaining network stability by continually checking the status of PCs on the network to insure Year 2000
readiness.
"The deadline for Year 2000 network preparation is looming and thanks to NDS, Z.E.N.works 1.1 will
help companies save valuable time distributing fixes identified by Check 2000," said Karl Feilder, President
and CEO of Greenwich Mean Time. "This partnership with Novell enables us to use the industry's most
widely adopted directory service to deliver our Year 2000 assessment tools to millions of customers who
are doing all they can to ensure a safe and stable network transition into 2000."
Improved Productivity
Along with the Check 2000 bundle, Z.E.N.works 1.1 offers several new and enhanced directory-based
desktop management capabilities to improve end user and network administrator productivity. New
features include enhanced integration with ManageWise 2.6, improved NetWare 5 pure IP support, an
updated client that includes support for Citrix Metaframe terminals, and a simplified interface. In addition,
new software metering capabilities give companies the ability to track the number of software licenses that
were distributed through the Z.E.N.works application launcher and are being used by and required for
network users. In addition a reporting feature will report the number of licenses used over time, allowing
network administrators to plan purchases and maintain license compliance. Software metering requires
Novell Licensing Services (NLS), which is available in NetWare 5 and Support Pack 6 for NetWare 4.11.
By making networks easier to use and Windows PCs more reliable, Z.E.N.works 1.1 allows end users to
concentrate on their job functions, rather than the computer network, improving end user productivity. The
unique ability of NDS to create a "digital persona" allows Z.E.N.works users to log onto any computer in
the network and have their own familiar interface applications and printer access. Z.E.N.works also
ensures a simplified approach to resolving help desk requests by automating messages to support staff that
include the end users' network identity configurations and error messages.
Pricing and Availability
Beginning this week, Z.E.N.works 1.1 is available to customers for $39 per workstation. With any size
Z.E.N.works purchase, customers will receive a five-user version of Greenwich Mean Time's Check 2000
Client Server free of charge. For a combined server and desktop management package, customers can
purchase a ManageWise/Z.E.N.works bundle for $59 per workstation (for a 1,000-user license). Upgrade
pricing for both Z.E.N.works 1.1 and the ManageWise/Z.E.N.works bundle is available on Novell's Web
site at http://www.novell.com/products/zenworks/upgrade.html. Z.E.N.works customers can also
purchase additional Check 2000 Client Server licenses from Novell. To order, contact an authorized
reseller or call (800) 321-4272. Additional information on Z.E.N.works is available on Novell's Web site at
http://www.novell.com/products/zenworks.
Novell Education is updating course 780: Workstation Management with Z.E.N.works to support
Z.E.N.works 1.1. The updated version will be available shortly after the product ships. For more
information on Z.E.N.works training or other Novell-authorized training and certification programs, please
call 1-800-233-EDUC (3382) in the U.S. or 1-801-222-7800 outside the U.S. information is also available
at the Novell Education Web site, http://www.novell.com/education.
About Novell
Novell, Inc. (NASDAQ:NOVL) is the world's largest network software company and the leader in
directory-enabled network solutions. Novell solutions make networks more manageable and secure and
reduce the total cost of ownership for organizations of every kind and size. Novell's worldwide channel,
developer, education and technical support programs are the most extensive in the network computing
industry.
For information on Novell's complete range of products and services, contact Novell's Customer Response
Center at (888) 321-4CRC (4272), or visit Novell's Web site at http://www.novell.com. Press may access Novell announcements and
company information on the World Wide Web at http://www.novell.com/pressroom.
About Greenwich Mean Time
Greenwich Mean Time's extensive research and understanding of the year 2000 PC challenge led to the
development of the Check 2000 suite of diagnostic and corrective software in 1996. Today Check 2000 is
established as the industry standard, due largely to the maturity of the brand and its unprecedented
functionality in large scale enterprise projects. Greenwich Mean Time's ongoing investment in research and
development continuously advances customers ability to address Year 2000 issues. Headquartered in the
UK, Greenwich Mean Time operates as a global company and currently has offices in North America,
Europe, Africa and Asia Pacific.
Novell, NetWare, Novell Directory Services and ManageWise are registered trademarks and NDS and
Z.E.N.works are trademarks of Novell, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective
holders.
Press Contacts:
Katrina Larson
Novell, Inc.
Phone: (801) 861-5593
Internet: kalarson@novell.com
Carrie Merritt
Cunningham Communication, Inc.
Phone: (650) 858-3788
Internet: cmerritt@ccipr.com