Novell to Deliver First Linux Workgroup Suite

New Open Workgroup Suite includes server and desktop software for improved collaboration and computing, leveraging Novell's Open Enterprise Server

20 March 2006

Novell today introduced the first workgroup suite for the open enterprise that provides organizations with a flexible and cost-productive solution based on proven, open standards-based software. The Novell® Open Workgroup Suite includes server and desktop components with robust management tools, e-mail, collaboration and the most advanced open source office products in the market. As a result, customers can lower acquisition costs and more effectively manage their long-term IT strategy, delivering real cost “productivity” without the limitations of being locked into a “one-size-fits-all” solution.

“Many of our customers are looking for alternatives to current restrictive licensing options,” said John Marciano, chief operating officer for Novell partner KIS. “Some of them spend more than 30 percent of their IT budget supporting the desktop and an office productivity suite. The Novell Open Workgroup Suite frees much of that budget so they have more to invest in other strategic IT initiatives. This suite also provides core infrastructure products to support their workforce from the server to the desktop. This is what my customers need, and at a very competitive price.”

The Novell Open Workgroup Suite includes the Linux* version of Novell Open Enterprise Server, Novell GroupWise® for Linux, Novell ZENworks® Suite, SUSE® Linux Enterprise Desktop and the popular OpenOffice.org. Pricing is $110 per device/user for a perpetual license and $75 annually for software maintenance. For existing Novell NetWare® customers, the suite is available with the NetWare version of Open Enterprise Server and cross-platform GroupWise, available as an upgrade bundle to existing customers of NetWare, GroupWise, ZENworks or their competing products for $150 per user/device. A rental option is also available for both offerings.

Kent Erickson, Novell vice president and general manager of Workspace Solutions, said, “Traditional workgroup suites require customers to upgrade all components at the same time. This unique offering gives customers the ability to upgrade any component of the suite when a new version is available, independent of any other component. With this flexibility, we combine the competitively priced innovation of open source with Novell's workgroup leadership to provide a compelling solution for enterprise collaboration and productivity.”

Scheduled availability for the Novell Workgroup Suite is early May.

 
 
About Novell

Novell, Inc. (Nasdaq: NOVL) delivers Software for the Open Enterprise™. With more than 50,000 customers in 43 countries, Novell helps customers manage, simplify, secure and integrate their technology environments by leveraging best-of-breed, open standards-based software. With over 20 years of experience, more than 5,000 employees, 5,000 partners and support centers around the world, Novell helps customers gain control over their IT operating environment while reducing cost. More information about Novell can be found at http://www.novell.com.

Novell, NetWare, GroupWise, SUSE and ZENworks are registered trademarks, BrainShare is a registered service mark, and Software for the Open Enterprise is a trademark of Novell, Inc. in the United States and other countries. *Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. All other third-party trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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