Two More UK Local Authorities Benefit From Novell Identity Management Solutions

Press Release

Bracknell, UK — April 10, 2006 — Novell today announced that Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and Mid-Sussex District Council will both now benefit from improved security and user authentication using Novell identity management solutions.

Through the deployment of Novell® Identity Manager™ 2.0.1, the Councils can now fully automate user provisioning and password management throughout the user life cycle - simplifying the complex manual process of assigning and removing privileges and managing identity information across all systems.

Mid-Sussex District Council
Mid-Sussex District Council will install a combination of Novell's exteNd Director™ and Novell Composer™ 5.1 with the Novell Identity Manager 2.0.1 to create a work flow process and identity management solution that simplifies the granting of access to resources, services and assets. The project will be managed and implemented by Selection Services, a Novell Platinum Business Partner.

According the access rights agreed, the Novell identity management solution and workflow process will automatically generate user accounts for network access, email and parking for example as soon as a new user account is created in the local authority’s Human Resources (HR) database. The solution will also automate the de-provisioning of users:

“Former employees are a common security risk for any organisation,” said Howard Knowelden, Team Leader System Support, Mid Sussex District Council. “Novell's identity management solution will eliminate this concern. The moment an employee’s status is changed to indicate they are no longer working for the company in the HR database or any other authoritative source, the workflow process will ensure that the user is automatically rescinded from the system on their final working day.”

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council
Alongside automating user provisioning and de-provisioning through Novell Identity Manager 2.0.1, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council will remove password and user name synchronisation issues between two existing directories.

Using the Novell identity management technology, implemented by Novell Platinum Solution Provider ENGL, a user name and password generated in Novell eDirectory™ will now automatically generate the same user name and password in a secondary directory and Microsoft Exchange 2003 mailbox. Consistent passwords and user names for each user, across applications and directories will reduce complexity of authentication and reduce costly help desk calls.

Synchronised passwords will also mean that password administration can be automated. A password change for example, now needs only to be changed once in Novell eDirectory for it to propagated to all other accounts.

“ENGL's solution using Novell technology has made a significant difference to the use of IT department resources, freeing up time to focus on more strategic planning and development,” said Terry Finch, ICT Systems and Infrastructure Manager, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council. “The use of Novell’s Identity Manager has also made essential improvements to our user authentication capabilities.”

About Novell

Novell, Inc. (Nasdaq: NOVL) is a leading provider of infrastructure software and services to over 50,000 customers in 43 countries. With more than 20 years of experience in data centres, workgroup and desktop solutions, Novell's 6,000 employees, 5,000 partners and support centres around the world are meeting customer requirements for identity-driven computing and Linux solutions. By providing enterprise-class software and support for commercial and open source software, Novell delivers increased operating flexibility and choice at a lower total cost of ownership. More information about Novell can be found at http://www.novell.com.

Press Contact:

Mehran Khalili
Text 100
020 8846 0738
mehran.khalili@text100.co.uk