*Novell ships eDirectory 8.7 and unveils aggressive plan to help customers
migrate from Sun ONE/iPlanet Directory Server to eDirectory
*Latest version of eDirectory supports IBM’s AIX operating system and
features Web-based and wireless administration
PROVO, Utah – Nov. 5, 2002 – Novell today released Novell(R) eDirectory(TM)
8.7, the latest version of its flagship directory software. Novell
eDirectory simplifies the management of user identities and access rights
and is the foundation for solutions in secure identity management and
cross-platform network services – solutions that help companies eliminate
boundaries to information and create one Net. With the shipment of
eDirectory 8.7, Novell also announced an aggressive plan to help customers
migrate from Sun ONE/iPlanet* Directory Server to the more stable and
scalable eDirectory.
Hall Kinion, a global placement firm, sees the advantage of one Net
solutions built on eDirectory. Keeping tabs on so many potential candidates
and accessing up-to-date information across different business systems
proved a challenging task. Upgrading critical applications on company
workstations was a costly, manual process taking up to six months; and
multiple and inconsistent user identities across those applications caused a
lot of redundant administration and posed a security risk. In addition,
employees juggled up to seven user IDs and passwords to gain access to
critical systems, which placed a costly burden on the helpdesk.
Together with its technology partner, KIS Computing, Hall Kinion selected
Novell to eliminate these obstacles. Tapping Novell ZENworks(R) to automate
desktop management and a Novell Nsure(TM) secure identity management
solution, Hall Kinion is now able to get the right resources to the right
people, anytime, anywhere. “The Novell solution has enabled us to integrate
user information across applications that were once data silos, including
our ERP system, a business intelligence app, and the company extranet,” said
Bill Griffin, director of Information Systems and Technology for Hall
Kinion. “That integration ensures our security
policies are enforced, and it also cuts hundreds of hours of redundant
administration – which coupled with the benefits of remote desktop
management equals some major cost savings. Equally important, employees have
single sign-on to the applications they need, contributing to a 70 percent
drop in helpdesk calls.
“Novell eDirectory is the foundation, the hub really, that makes this
solution possible,” Griffin said. “Its flexibility allows us to work with
the applications and operating systems we already have, no rip-and-replace
required; and its scalability gives us plenty of room to grow.”
An Alternative for Sun ONE Customers
Novell is also launching an aggressive promotion to help Sun ONE/iPlanet
Directory Server customers take advantage of Novell Nsure secure identity
management solutions. Current Sun ONE/iPlanet Directory Server customers can
receive free of charge 250,000 user licenses of Novell eDirectory 8.7 plus
25,000 user licenses of the Novell DirXML(R) Driver for LDAP. The
combination of eDirectory with DirXML will allow companies to continue to
use legacy data stored in the Sun ONE/iPlanet Directory Server while
introducing eDirectory, with its proven scalability and security, as a
foundation for secure identity management.
“Novell customers and potential customers want a directory service that can
scale – reaching millions of users and identities; and only Novell can
deliver that,” said Angie Anderson, Novell vice president of Identity
Services. “The promotion we’re announcing today will allow companies to
start taking advantage of a superior, scalable directory service without
ripping and replacing their legacy applications.”
What’s New in Novell eDirectory 8.7
Already the market’s best directory service, Novell eDirectory 8.7 features
a number of enhancements over previous versions, including new support for
IBM’s AIX* operating system, in addition to NetWare(R), Windows NT*/2000,
Linux* and Solaris*. eDirectory 8.7 also features new role-based
administration capabilities and includes a new utility, Novell iManager,
which allows customers to manage the directory from a Web browser and a
variety of handheld devices.
Availability and Pricing
Novell eDirectory 8.7 is available now for $2 per user through Novell
partners or directly from Novell by calling 888-321-4272. For more
information, go to www.novell.com/edirectory. Sun ONE/iPlanet
Directory Server customers who want to take advantage of the benefits of
eDirectory should visit www.novell.com/edirpromo. ISVs, OEMs and developers
interested redistributing eDirectory with their applications, can visit
http://developer.novell.com/edirectory.
About Novell
Novell, Inc. (Nasdaq: NOVL) is the leading provider of information solutions
delivering secure identity management (Novell Nsure), Web application
development (Novell exteNd) and network infrastructure services on a variety
of computing platforms (Novell Nterprise), supported by strategic consulting
and services (Novell Ngage). Novell’s one Net vision helps customers profit
from the opportunities of the information economy by eliminating boundaries
to information, delivering it securely and economically. For more
information, call Novell’s Customer Response Center at (888) 321-4CRC (4272)
or visit http://www.novell.com. Press should visit
http://www.novell.com/pressroom.
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