New IP-based product provides range of powerful tools and solutions for networks

Novell, the world leader in networking solutions, launches its flagship NetWare 5 software today.

Billed as the number one platform for Internet-enabled businesses, the product, which is based on open Internet standards, promises greater reliability, security and better integration with current solutions.

Back in the days when few understood what networking was about, Novell provided solutions to companies ranging from multinationals to small operators with a network of 25 or less. This new version will bring much-needed new blood to an old friend for many.

Novell Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Eric Schmidt, said: 'Today, Novell moves to centre stage in the Internet marketplace. NetWare 5 takes everything NetWare is famous for, the reliability, the security, the directory technology years ahead of competitors and magnifies it in an Internet world of open standards.' NetWare 5, he said, enabled users to 'leap ahead of the pack with smarter, more manageable and efficient networks. Novell has regained its rightful place as the only networking vendor who can get them there'.

Mr Schmidt, previously the chief technology officer at Sun Microsystems, was one of the major forces behind the development of the Java programming language. His move to Novell reflected the importance Java was to play in Novell products and NetWare 5 clearly shows this.

At last year's fall Comdex trade show in Las Vegas, Mr Schmidt made it clear that industry standards such as Java and TCP/IP would be important for Novell. Novell's focus, he said, would be 'to deliver the kind of technologies that people need to run their networks. That's what we're all about'.