Press Release

Novell Delivers Directory-based Internet E-mail System for Enterprise Customers, ISPs/ASPs

  • Novell Internet Messaging System (NIMS) Uses NDS eDirectory to Offer Maximum Speed, Reliability and Manageability
  • Scales to Support Billions of User E-mail Accounts
  • Allows Users to Select the Client of Their Choice

PROVO, Utah — Dec. 6, 1999 —Novell, Inc. today announced the availability of Novell® Internet Messaging System ™ (NIMS) 2.1, a highly scalable, standards-based Internet e-mail system that provides maximum speed, reliability and performance. Leveraging Novell's newly announced NDS® eDirectory™ — the world's leading directory service that simplifies complex e-business relationships better that any technology on the market — NIMS provides enterprise customers, Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and Application Service Providers (ASPs) with a cost-effective Internet e-mail system for hosting and centrally managing millions, or even billions, of user accounts.

With NIMS, Novell adds to its momentum as the broadest supplier of Web infrastructure products in the market. Beginning with NDS, the leading directory platform, Novell provides customers with a single buying decision for key Web infrastructure services that work together seamlessly in e-business solutions. Novell solutions enable customers to extend the reach of their existing computer networks across the Internet to employees, customers and supply-chain partners.

"As a rapidly growing ISP, we need to be able to offer an e-mail service that not only meets the needs of our customers, but also lets us easily manage those customers," said Franklin Witter, information services manager for OTBnet, an ISP that services Richland County, Ill., and surrounding areas. "Through its integration with NDS eDirectory, NIMS gives us the power to meet both challenges. Now, our customers have a fast, reliable and customizable e-mail service, and we have a messaging infrastructure that is manageable and scalable enough to match our current growth and our future potential."

"The release of the Novell Internet Messaging System demonstrates a real awareness of the Internet e-mail marketplace from one of the 'Big Three' of corporate e-mail," said Mark Levitt, research director for International Data Corporation (www.idc.com). "NIMS, combined with the Novell NDS eDirectory strategy, will help Novell to set itself apart in products for the ISP/ASP market."

NIMS provides customers with the flexibility to meet the needs and preferences of individual users. Not only are NIMS users able to select the client of their choice, such as Novell GroupWise®, Microsoft Outlook*, or a standard Web browser, but NIMS also puts many every day administrative tasks into the hands of users — while still maintaining central management and control through NDS eDirectory. This flexibility reduces the workload on system administrators, dramatically lowers administration costs and allows users to send and receive e-mail according to their personal preferences.

"Implementing NIMS as a corporate-wide e-mail system will save Hellmann Worldwide Logistics more than $6 million," said Chip DiComo, network manager for Hellmann Worldwide Logistics Inc., a global freight forwarder with offices on five continents. "After looking at a pure Lotus Notes* e-mail environment, we decided to implement NIMS because it's based on open standards and, more importantly, because it will leverage our current investment in NDS eDirectory. The resulting cost savings will be enormous."

Messaging for Hosted or Enterprise Environments

First released to the education market in August 1999, Novell Internet Messaging System is now available to enterprise customers, as well as ISPs and ASPs that want to host a fast and reliable e-mail service. Because it is based on NDS eDirectory, NIMS is able to scale to and effectively manage millions, or even billions, of user e-mail accounts. Today NIMS is available on NetWare®, with support for NT, Solaris* and Linux planned for next year. Some of the key features available to NIMS users include:

  • Unsolicited Bulk E-mail (UBE) Protection - Users can block unwanted spam e-mail
  • Mail Proxy - Users can retrieve e-mail from other standards-based accounts, such as Novell GroupWise, Eudora World Mail Server* 2.0 and Microsoft Exchange Internet Mail Service
  • User Self-administration - Administrative tasks such as password change, forwarding and auto reply rules, colors, language preference, etc. can be performed by users without the help of administrators
  • Web Mail - Users can access their mailboxes from any standard Web browser
  • Web-based Management - All system administration can be done over the Web using any standard browser
  • Extensive Standards Support - Support for Internet protocols such as Post Office Protocol 3 (POP), Internet Mail Access Protocol 4 (IMAP), Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)

A demonstration of the messaging capabilities of NIMS and NDS eDirectory can be viewed by going to the MyRealBox SM Web site http://www.myrealbox.com, a Novell-sponsored Web site based on these technologies, which offers a product showcase for NIMS.

Availability and Pricing

Novell Internet Messaging System 2.1 is available to enterprise customers today through any authorized Novell reseller, by calling Novell's Customer Response Center at (888) 321-4272 or by going to http://shop.novell.com. Enterprise customers can purchase NIMS for SRP $20 per user. NIMS is also available today to ISPs/ASPs that are part of Novell's Internet Commercial Service Provider (ICSP) program. Companies interested in learning more about the ICSP program can inquire via e-mail to acnameth@novell.com.

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. In addition, detailed comparisons between Novell products and competitive offerings from other vendors are available on the Web at http://www.novell.com/advantage. For information on the Year 2000 status of Novell products, please access Novell's Year 2000 Web site at http://www.novell.com/year2000 or contact Novell's Customer Response Center at year2000@novell.com.Novell, NetWare, GroupWise and NDS are registered trademarks, and eDirectory, MyRealBox and Novell Internet Messaging System are trademarks or service marks of Novell, Inc. in the United States and other countries.

*All third-party trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Press Contacts:
Shawn Dickerson
Novell, Inc.
Phone: 801-228-7239
E-mail: sdickerson@novell.com

Melissa Ripperger
Cunningham Communication, Inc.
Phone: 650-858-3754
E-mail:mripperger@ccipr.com