HANNOVER, GERMANY—Just one day after announcing the 9.1 version of SuSE Linux at the CeBIT 2004 show here, Novell Inc. on Friday rolled out a host of new announcements that included the first release of its GroupWise collaboration platform to run entirely on Linux, a new patch management offering and a new partner program.
Novell last year announced that GroupWise would support Linux on both client and server. On March 30, the company finally will deliver this support with the release of GroupWise 6.5 for Linux. GroupWise handles e-mail, calendaring, instant messaging, contact-management, document-management and workflow services. It runs on Novell NetWare and Microsoft Corp.s Windows NT/2000 in addition to Linux.
Later this year, Novell plans to add native support for GroupWise for Linux to the Ximian Evolution e-mail and workgroup client for Linux-based systems. Customers can already use the GroupWise Windows client and GroupWise Cross-Platform client with GroupWise 6.5 for Linux. Within 30 days, Novell also plans to add basic GroupWise plug-in support for the Gaim instant messaging client, which will allow Linux desktops to connect to the GroupWise Messenger server in GroupWise 6.5 for secure instant messaging.
GroupWise for Linux is supported on the SuSE Linux Enterprise Server and Red Hat Inc. Enterprise Linux distributions.
Novell also announced at CeBIT on Friday the March 26 release of Zenworks Patch Management. The product, powered by PatchLink Corp.s patch-management technology, manages security patches for Microsoft Windows systems.
Features include vulnerability detection, automated patch deployment, tighter security controls and remediation status reports.
Zenworks Patch Management will sell for $18 per year per device through Novell channel partners.
Novell announced an enhanced partner program as well. The first addition to the companys PartnerNet program will be 560 SuSE Linux partners. The partners will retain their current benefits and will be eligible to enroll in PartnerNet at no additional charge. Novell also is launching several initiatives to encourage its other partners to support SuSE Linux, including a software development kit, a program to ease hardware-certification requirements and the publishing of a SuSE Linux solution directory.
The enhanced partner program will divide partners into three tracks: solutions providers, including VARs, distributors and system integrators; technology partners, including third-party software vendors whose products integrate with Novells; and training partners, who train IT personnel and students on Novell technologies.
Novell will offer four partner specializations: Linux, Secure Identity Management, Resource Management and Web services. ´
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