Press Release

AGIS and Novell Partner to Deliver Directory-Based Internet Services

AGIS, a Full Service Provider of Multimedia Data Communications, Licenses NDS, BorderManager to Sell Managed Internet Service to Enterprise and Wholesale Customers

PROVO, Utah — March 15, 1999 — Novell® Inc., the leading provider of directory-enabled networking software, and Apex Global Internet Services (AGIS), a world leader in advanced communications technologies, today announced a partnership to provide next generation directory-enabled Internet services to its enterprise customers. As a first step towards this initiative, AGIS will bundle Novell Directory Services® (NDS®) and Novell BorderManager™ Virtual Private Networking Services 3 as a managed VPN solution for deployment at the customer premise.

Directory-enabled Internet services will enable carriers and service providers such as ISPs, local exchange carriers (ILECs) and (CLECs) as well as large enterprises with multiple locations to develop a foundation for business to business electronic commerce. Business customers will no longer need to purchase several data services to connect intranets, extranets and the public Internet. Directory-based solutions will allow large corporations to gain secure, reliable and rapid data services from a single provider.

"We are excited about the opportunity to work with Novell to create a unique suite of data networking products using scalable directory-based applications that already have an embedded base of over 40 million users," said Al Adams, Chief Executive Officer of AGIS. "NDS allows us to provide outstanding quality of service while it frees our business customers from much of the effort that is necessary today when users want to connect with vendors, customers, employees, and the public Internet. We are pleased that Novell has chosen us as a strategic data solutions and Internet partner. An aggressive approach toward bringing next generation data solutions quickly to market is central to our company strategy, as well as Novell's."

"This partnership with AGIS demonstrates the opportunity for NDS as an integral part of the Internet," commented Chris Stone, senior vice president of Novell strategy and corporate development. "As a world-class Internet Service Provider, AGIS is a significant player using NDS as the engine behind a new suite of unique data networking products that use scalable directory-based applications such as global single-sign-on for access to intelligent Internet, network and data services."

Value of Directory-Based Internet Services

Directory-based Internet services will deliver the ability to flexibly interconnect employees, customers, and vendors, in a secure manner with all users able to access their mission critical data. These services made possible by AGIS and Novell will make business processes far more efficient by managing and enhancing the data services, which without a directory and a single global services provider, will require time, labor, and purchase of additional services for full functionality. Additional directory-based Internet services examples include:
     
  • NDS centralizes user information, policies, network configuration and network addresses in a distributed directory. As a result, NDS simplifies and expedites product delivery by correlating information about each user and application to business priorities, security and network capabilities.
  • The ability to add and delete user accounts once and have immediate updates to every server and service everywhere in the network is crucial as networks expand to global proportions. The ability to have a single data source that is fully secure and whose characteristics on the network are ubiquitous and require update only once for all end users is an extremely efficient and effective means to solving networking issues.
  • Directory-based VPN services means remote users, telecommuters and roaming users all have a consistent user name and password anywhere in the world with secure access to their corporate networks. NDS makes services such as Quality of Service and self-provisioning of additional services such as premium access for day traders or video conferencing available. Self-provisioning allows a customer with appropriate rights to dynamically allocate bandwidth for application specific requirements such as teleconferencing.
  • NDS allows services to be added or enhanced quickly without the need to continually alter the way users take advantage of these services. For example, NDS allows access to a remote dial-up connection, access to a company's VPN, or access to information on a partner's network via an extranet, all using a single ID and password, without the need for the user to understand how the components are linked together.

Availability of AGIS Managed VPN Service

Directory-based managed Virtual Private Network Services will be available from AGIS in Spring 1999. Pricing has not yet been announced. Please call 1-703-318-9158 for more information.

About AGIS

AGIS is an advanced global multimedia and data communications company offering value added products and services to hundreds of corporate clients and resellers worldwide. Early pioneers of what is today's Internet, AGIS continues to lead the industry in the research and deployment of state-of-the-art communications technologies. Additional information about AGIS is available at http://www.agis.net.

About Novell

Novell, Inc. (NASDAQ:NOVL) is the world's leading provider of directory-enabled networking software. Novell solutions give businesses total control of their private networks and the Internet, simplifying the management of user access and identity. Novell's worldwide channel, consulting, 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.

Novell, NetWare and Novell Directory Services are registered trademarks and NDS is a trademark of Novell, Inc. in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Press Contacts:
Gordon Evans
Novell, Inc.
Phone: (408) 967-6371
Internet: gordon_evans@novell.com

Kellee Marlow
Cunningham Communication, Inc.
Phone: (650) 858-3790
Internet: kmarlow@ccipr.com

Phil Jacobson
AGIS
Phone: (703) 318-9158
Internet: pjacobson@agis.net