March 27, 2001, 12:53 PM — As Novell Inc. pushes forward with its services-oriented makeover, the company used last week's BrainShare user conference in Salt Lake City to recast itself as a serious player in the snazzy future of Internet services.
As part of its underlying vision for a single, unified network, Novell is positioning its eDirectory and DirXML technologies as the linchpins for tapping in to Web-enabled network services.
According to one analyst, Novell's positioning has strengthened its current position and future outlook.
"Novell is no longer waiting for NetWare to die. They are moving forward with messages that resonate with contemporary uses. One example is the use of the directory as enabling devices for e-commerce," said Martin Marshall, managing director at Zona Research in Redwood City, California.
After coming off a tough year, the company recently added muscle to its services by announcing plans to acquire systems integrator Cambridge Technology Partners Inc. in a US$266 million deal. Novell also trotted out last week an alliance with storage vendor EMC Corp. and several new products, including a NAS (network attached storage) device and wireless functionality for future versions of Novell NDS eDirectory and eGuide products.
Novell's newer offerings, particularly DirXML, which acts as the link between the directory and outside Web-based systems, may play a critical role in positioning the company for success, Marshall said.
