Press Release
Novell iFolder Gives Users 'Anywhere Access' to Files, Across Platforms and Devices
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  • Novell iFolder Professional Edition 2 runs on Linux and Solaris as well as NetWare and Windows NT/2000
  • Novell iFolder allows pooling of servers and provides reporting features, giving service providers and large organizations the ability to manage millions of users

HANNOVER, Germany (CeBIT 2002) — March 13, 2002 — Novell, Inc., the leading provider of Net business solutions, today announced the availability of Novell® iFolder™ Professional Edition 2, extending the power of Novell's mobile file management software to make a user's files always available, anywhere, on any Internet-enabled machine. Novell iFolder provides worry-free security, ensuring that user files are always safe, secure and up to date. Now running on Linux* and Solaris* as well as Novell NetWare® and Windows NT*/2000, Novell iFolder lets users automatically and securely synchronize their files across all types of networks and on any computer. In addition, Novell iFolder now includes Web access for Windows CE and Palm OS* devices

Novell iFolder also allows pooling of multiple servers, giving large organizations and service providers the ability to manage up to millions of users. Novell iFolder takes the complexity out of managing information for an increasingly mobile workforce, providing a one Net experience that lets users get to what they need, when they need it. As work becomes an activity, not a place, and new devices increase the ways in which information is delivered, the challenge of providing reliable, secure access to files and data is growing. Building on the Internet's ability to instantly connect users with information, Novell iFolder provides a true one Net experience to mobile professionals by allowing their files to automatically follow them everywhere - online, offline, all the time - across multiple systems and devices. That's true whether they are a 10-minute drive from the office or halfway around the world.

Novell iFolder complements Compaq's vision for adaptive infrastructures that enable companies to adapt and thrive while conserving resources. New Compaq* solutions for Novell iFolder will deliver built-in features like simplified integration, highly available 7X24 access and easily expandable server and storage capacity to further protect customers' investments. Compaq Vice President of Software Business Development Rick Becker commented, "With mobile workforces increasing worldwide, our customers require 'anytime, anywhere' access to critical business information and feel that it is essential to protect the integrity of their digital assets with flexible, secure centralized server and storage solutions. As the world's leading provider of server platforms for Novell NetWare - and as first launch partner to Novell for iFolder solutions - Compaq is ideally suited to help customers quickly and easily deploy iFolder. With robust, industry standard ProLiant servers and StorageWorks products, Compaq provides solutions that adapt to the infrastructure needs of large and small enterprises and service providers to deliver the highest levels of data protection."

Files saved in Novell iFolder are always available - locally or via a browser - since changes are automatically and intelligently updated across multiple systems through any simple Internet connection. Offline work is updated the instant a user reconnects. When a user moves on to a different location and a different PC, files are automatically updated to reflect work done elsewhere. Encryption keeps file synchronizations and backups secure.

"Solutions like Novell iFolder will have ever-increasing importance in the future," said Andreas Eckert, system and network administrator for Saint Gobain Isover G+H AG, a global manufacturer of non-flammable insulation materials based in Germany. "There are always more and more people who would like to - or indeed must be able to - access data when they are out and about. iFolder doesn't just keep data on multiple machines up to date by synchronization with a central server, it also provides reliable backup. And that's what companies and users need, to arrange their mobility efficiently and securely. The synchronization backup facilities that iFolder offers seemed to be virtually custom-built for us."

Service Provider Opportunity
With Novell iFolder, service providers can offer secure, personal file backup and anywhere access to files. Reporting features for billing and management give service providers an easy way to manage billing for Novell iFolder service, while new large-scale deployment capabilities allow multiple Novell iFolder servers to be pooled and operate under a single domain. Large organizations and service providers can now manage thousands, even millions of users.

"Novell iFolder gives service providers the opportunity to differentiate themselves from their competition while increasing customer loyalty and generating revenue," said Jeff Hawkins, vice president of Novell's storage business team. "E-mail has become a commodity, and customers are looking for additional value from their service providers. Individuals and members of smaller organizations need file backup and anywhere access to files just as much as large corporation users do. And Novell iFolder's support for all major networking platforms means service providers can start offering Novell iFolder services to customers right away without an overhaul of their networking infrastructure."

Features and capabilities new to Novell iFolder Professional Edition 2 include:

  • Linux and Solaris support - added to current support for NetWare and Windows NT/2000, many larger enterprises and service providers that use these operating systems can now take advantage of the benefits of Novell iFolder.
  • Scaling to millions of users - multiple Novell iFolder servers can be pooled to create a single-system image, meaning multiple servers can operate under a single domain name, so large organizations and service providers can now manage thousands, even millions of users.
  • Pocket PC and Palm OS PDA Web access - any Pocket PC or Palm OS device with Web access lets users get to their files from anywhere at anytime through Novell iFolder.
  • Reporting features for billing and management - IT administrators can track which departments or users are using Novell iFolder and can allocate costs to those departments accordingly. This also gives xSPs an easy way to manage billing for Novell iFolder service.
  • User ability to choose any existing local file directory as Novell iFolder directory.
  • Ability for IT administrator to recover user pass phrase.

Novell provides storage solutions that go beyond out-of-the-box software. Novell's storage technologies solve real business problems and help simplify business complexity, secure and protect resources and extend information availability throughout the organization.

Pricing and Availability
Novell iFolder Professional Edition 2 will be available April 17 through Novell Authorized ResellersSM and solution providers for a suggested $49 per user license. Service provider licensing is also available at $1.50 per user each month.

Upgrade options are available for customers who own licenses to Novell iFolder Standard Edition 1.0 either from NetWare 6 or as a stand-alone purchase. Customers can upgrade for $26 per user, or they can participate in a promotion that allows customers to upgrade to Novell iFolder Professional Edition 2 by simply paying maintenance/upgrade protection on Novell iFolder. This promotion waives the $49 per user license fee but requires maintenance on Novell iFolder. Novell iFolder Standard Edition continues to be included in NetWare 6. For more information, visit http://www.novell.com/products/ifolder, and descriptions of customer and user experiences with Novell iFolder can be found at http://www.novell.com/products/ifolder/testimonials.html.

About Novell
Novell, Inc. (NASDAQ: NOVL), is a leader in eBusiness solutions and Net services software designed to secure and power the networked world. Novell and its eServices division, Cambridge Technology Partners, help organizations solve complex business challenges, simplify their systems and processes, and capture new opportunities with one Net solutions. Novell provides worldwide channel, consulting, education and developer programs to support its offerings.

For information on Novell's complete range of products and services, contact Novell's Customer Response Center at (888) 321-4CRC (4272), or visit Novell's Web site at http://www.novell.com. Information on eBusiness and integration solutions from Cambridge Technology Partners can be accessed at http://www.ctp.com. Press may access Novell announcements and company information on the World Wide Web at http://www.novell.com/pressroom.

Novell, NetWare and Cambridge Technology Partners are registered trademarks, Novell iFolder is a trademark and Novell Authorized Reseller is a service mark of Novell, Inc. in the United States and other countries. *All third-party trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Press Contact:
Kevan Barney
Novell, Inc.
Phone: (801) 861-2931
E-mail: kbarney@novell.com

Rod Anderson
Brodeur Worldwide
Phone: (801) 861-3407
E-mail: randerson@brodeur.com