PROVO, Utah — Jan. 02, 2003 — Novell has named Novacoast as its partner of the year for 2002 and recognized Bill Long of Integrated Network Systems as its partner representative of the year. For both awards, Novell looks for partners that truly lead in driving Novell solutions - including its new solutions for secure identity management and Web application development - deeper and wider into their customer accounts. Both Novacoast and Bill Long represent models for Novell's channel partnering strategy going forward.

Novacoast, based in Santa Barbara, Calif., was recognized for its strong Novell solutions expertise, both on Novell's core products and in its emerging focus areas. Novacoast also showed a strong commitment to Novell through its participation with the company at the development level, working with Novell's engineering teams to provide real world input into the development cycle. Novacoast also spent time on the front lines with Novell's technical support group honing their technical skills. Novacoast enthusiastically embraced Novell's drive for more joint activity with customers, performing joint account calls that both resulted in significant direct product sales as well as influenced customers toward Novell solutions. Finally, Novacoast vigorously defended Novell's position in hostile accounts and was extremely effective in conveying the business value of Novell solutions and Novell's one Net vision to customers.

At an individual level, Bill Long of New Orleans-based Integrated Network Systems (INS) exhibited similar commitment to driving Novell solutions into the market. As the owner of INS, Long has been the driving force behind his company's strategic direction to build a business around Novell. As a Master Certified Novell Engineer (MCNE), Long works effectively with a customer's most advanced technical staff. At the same time, he translates that technical knowledge into business level objectives which consistently result in winning over non-technical line-of-business managers and executives. Long has successfully led with Novell as the "only" platform for more than 15 years. As Novell has expanded its offerings, Long and INS have been quick to embrace new solutions, having successfully integrated multiple systems/platforms using DirXML, carved out a niche for themselves with Novell's iChain and Novell iFolder, and actively embraced the new Novell exteNd solutions.

For more information on Novell's partner programs, visit http://www.novell.com/partners/channel.

Press contacts:
Bruce Lowry
Novell, Inc.
Phone: (415) 591-6523
E-mail: blowry@novell.com