Novell to Ship First Linux Suite for the Small Business Market

SALT LAKE CITY, BrainShare(R) 2005, March 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Novell (Nasdaq: NOVL) today announced the upcoming availability of Novell(R) Linux Small Business Suite 9, the first end-to-end, server-to-desktop Linux solution that offers a clear alternative for small businesses. Novell Linux Small Business Suite is comprised of industry-leading Linux server and desktop software along with powerful collaboration, security and management products, all engineered specifically for Linux*. As a result, small businesses receive a secure, reliable and complete solution that provides them with big-business benefits on small-business budgets.

"The availability of Novell Linux Small Business Suite and the advantages of open source software will give our customers even more options for improving their business," said Bill Long, owner of Integrated Network Systems, a Novell channel partner in New Orleans. "And because it's backed by Novell, they can deploy it with confidence."

According to a recent survey by Forrester Research, small businesses are spending on IT systems at an increasing rate, closing in on half of total U.S. tech spending at 44 percent in 2004. Many small businesses are turning to Linux for the cost savings and security benefits it provides. Novell has prepared an extensive software, channel, training and technical support ecosystem necessary to effectively serve small businesses who are seeking to diversify their IT portfolios away from traditional operating systems. To accommodate growing businesses, Novell's Linux suite features support for up to three servers and 100 users. Partners Support Novell Linux Small Business Suite

"Dell and Novell are committed to continuously improving the performance and value proposition of Linux for customers of all sizes and needs," said Judy Chavis, director of business development for Dell. "Novell Linux Small Business Suite on Dell PowerEdge servers further enhances the Linux platform to provide SMB customers network solutions that are easy to manage and scale to meet their needs today and in the future."

Efrain Rovira, HP's worldwide director of Linux marketing, said, "As one of the leading IT providers to both small and mid-sized business customers, as well as in Linux and open source technology, HP is committed to providing affordable, easy-to-use IT solutions that help solve real business problems. The combination of HP solutions and the Novell Linux Small Business Suite will provide customers a secure, reliable networking solution that can improve employee productivity, collaboration and resource sharing."

See attached quote and fact sheets for additional partner comments and product specifications on the Novell Linux Small Business Suite.

"Small businesses will benefit from this dependable, cost-effective solution that provides a greater choice of software and hardware, eliminating vendor lock-in," said David Patrick, Novell vice president and general manager of Linux, Open Source Platforms and Services. "That means they can focus on what matters most -- running their business." Pricing and Availability

Novell Linux Small Business Suite 9 will be available March 31 through Novell channel partners for a suggested $475 per five new user licenses or $252 per five users upgrading from qualifying Novell or competitive products. See http://www.novell.com/products/linuxsmallbiz/pricing.html for details. The suite includes support for up to 100 licensed users and three servers, plus five free technical support incidents. Novell Linux Small Business Suite 9 will be available immediately in English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Portuguese and Spanish. For more information, visit http://www.novell.com/products/linuxsmallbiz. For more on Novell's Linux strategy and complete line of Linux offerings, see http://www.novell.com/linux. About Novell

Novell, Inc. is a leading provider of infrastructure software and services to over 50,000 customers in 43 countries. With more than 20 years of experience in data center, workgroup and desktop solutions, Novell's 6,000 employees, 5,000 partners and support centers around the world are meeting customer requirements for identity-driven computing and Linux solutions. By providing enterprise-class software and support for commercial and open source software, Novell delivers increased operating flexibility and choice at a lower total cost of ownership. More information about Novell can be found at http://www.novell.com.

NOTE: Novell is a registered trademark and BrainShare is a registered service mark of Novell, Inc. in the United States and other countries. *All third-party trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Fact Sheet: Novell Linux Small Business Suite 9

March 21, 2005 What's in Novell Linux Small Business Suite 9

Novell(R) Linux Small Business Suite 9 complements the NetWare(R)-based Novell Small Business Suite 6.5, giving small businesses additional choices for their IT systems. The Linux suite includes comprehensive networking services built on Novell's SUSE(R) LINUX Enterprise Server 9, productivity tools including collaboration and desktop software, network support for many business applications, and support for Windows* or Linux* desktop clients so customers can take advantage of existing investments in Windows and move to Linux at their business pace.

In addition to exclusive installation and configuration wizards, the software in the suite includes: -- SUSE LINUX Enterprise Server 9 for file access and sharing, printing, firewall, and remote access via virtual private network (VPN).

-- Novell GroupWise(R) for full collaboration including e-mail, calendaring, instant messaging and junk e-mail handling on either Windows or Linux desktops.

-- Novell Linux Desktop for complete desktop productivity including a Web browser and office productivity tools such as word processing and presentation software.

-- Novell eDirectory(TM) for directory-enabled management.

-- Novell iManager for increased manageability. NOTE: Novell, NetWare and GroupWise are registered trademarks and eDirectory is a trademark of Novell, Inc. in the United States and other countries. SUSE is a registered trademark of SUSE LINUX AG, a Novell business. *All third-party trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Quotes from Partners Supporting Novell Linux Small Business Suite 9

March 21, 2005 "Novell's strong commitment to Linux with the release of Novell Linux Small Business Suite is helping to make Linux an even more attractive OS option for small and mid-sized businesses. Small and medium sized businesses want choice in their technology selections, including the ability to deploy business applications on the operating system that makes sense to them, and we believe the release of Novell Linux Small Business Suite is a tremendous step forward for Linux in our market."

Craig Downing, ACCPAC International, Inc. Vice President of Product Management "Appgen accounting software has supported small businesses running on Linux for over eight years. Appgen is very supportive of the release of Novell Linux Small Business Suite and looks forward to working with both Appgen and Novell solution providers in helping them build complete small business solutions with Novell Linux Small Business Suite and Appgen software."

Joanie C Mann, Aptus Corp. Executive Vice President "The introduction of the Novell Linux Small Business Suite gives small business customers a stable, cost-effective platform and the necessary services and technologies needed to remain competitive in their own business environments. As BakBone continues to work closely with Novell to deliver easy-to-use, reliable and high-performance data protection solutions, we are pleased to see Novell addressing the needs of small businesses with the Novell Linux Small Business Suite."

Adrian Jones, BakBone Software Senior Vice President, Worldwide OEM and Alliance Group "The value proposition offered by Linux extends to all markets, including SMBs. The Novell Linux Small Business Suite 9, along with CA's line of Linux management solutions for SMBs, demonstrates that the IT industry's top vendors have recognized this and are responding with packaged solutions appropriate for the small business buyer."

David Luft, CA Senior Vice President of SMB Product Development "Dell and Novell are committed to continuously improving the performance and value proposition of Linux for customers of all sizes and needs. Novell Linux Small Business Suite on Dell PowerEdge servers further enhances the Linux platform to provide SMB customers network solutions that are easy to manage and scale to meet their needs today and in the future."

Judy Chavis, Dell Director of Business Development "Fujitsu Siemens Computers appreciates Novell Linux Small Business Suite to make business on Linux easy for small and medium enterprise customers. In close cooperation with Novell, this all-in-one solution will be supported by Fujitsu Siemens Computers on all appropriate one- and two-way PRIMERGY servers."

Dieter Herzog, Fujitsu Siemens Computers Executive Vice President, Enterprise Products "GWAVA is pleased to work in partnership with Novell in order to bring affordable, secure, Linux-based collaboration solutions to small businesses. Novell Linux Small Business Suite and GWAVA software products allow small businesses to take advantage of the power and the flexibility of open source technologies with the peace of mind that comes from working with market leaders."

Charles Taite, GWAVA CTO "As one of the leading IT providers to both small and mid-sized business customers, as well as in Linux and open source technology, HP is committed to providing affordable, easy-to-use IT solutions that help solve real business problems. The combination of HP solutions and the Novell Linux Small Business Suite will provide customers a secure, reliable networking solution that can improve employee productivity, collaboration and resource sharing."

Efrain Rovira, HP Worldwide Director of Linux Marketing "The Novell Linux Small Business Suite provides a suite of products that allow small businesses to capitalize on the value of Linux. To help Novell Linux Small Business Suite customers secure and protect this solution, McAfee software is used to provide advanced threat protection from virus, worm and other malware that plagues many of today's small businesses. McAfee is proud to be working together with Novell and its partners to provide a secure and reliable solution for our joint customers investing in the Novell Linux Small Business Suite environment."

Vince Rossi, McAfee, Inc. Senior Vice President of Product Marketing and Product Management "Omni Technology Solutions is pleased to announce continued support for Novell with its release of Novell Linux Small Business Suite, including forthcoming exclusive product offers for Novell Linux Small Business Suite customers. As with previous versions of Novell small business products, Omni is committed to providing the vital security, collaboration enhancement, and management products for today's small businesses."

Aldo Zanoni, Omni Technology Solutions Managing Director "Open Systems is excited to offer the first Novell 'YES CERTIFIED' accounting solution to the emergent group of small and mid-market businesses now looking to Linux to meet their network operating system needs. Solution providers who deploy Novell networking products can now confidently deploy OSAS, a seasoned accounting system built to leverage the power of Novell SUSE LINUX while providing a comprehensive array of accounting features needed by small and mid-market businesses."

Michael Bertini, Open Systems, Inc. CEO "The Pervasive P.SQL embedded database has long served as a crucial backbone of Novell platforms, providing small business users of mission- critical applications with a robust and reliable database solution at a low total cost of ownership. Utilizing Pervasive P.SQL v9 for LINUX, software vendors, value added resellers and end users can seamlessly migrate their software application database to the Novell Linux Small Business Suite and SUSE LINUX platform, while maintaining 100 percent database compatibility on SUSE LINUX with existing P.SQL NetWare and P.SQL Windows applications."

Jeff Seiden, Pervasive Software Inc. Vice President Corporate Development "As a Novell channel partner, Sybase is committed to providing cost-effective Linux-based information management and mobile solutions to small business customers. By using Novell Linux Small Business Suite 9 combined with a database such as Sybase Adapter Server Enterprise Express Edition for Linux, small business customers have a powerful end-to-end solution providing the highest level of security, performance and reliability."

Kathleen Schaub, Sybase, Inc. Vice President of Marketing, Information Technology Solutions Group "With the introduction of the Novell Linux Small Business Suite, Novell is providing small business customers with a secure, reliable suite that increases flexibility, productivity and security, with an overall lower total cost of ownership. Syncsort is pleased to support Novell Linux Small Business Suite with Backup Express, assuring customers of full data protection and high availability of their Linux implementations and Novell Linux Small Business Suite environments."

Dan Regan, Syncsort Executive Vice President "For the small business, even a single security threat like an unchecked virus or worm on one server can have a great impact on whether that business continues to run. By extending its ServerProtect for Linux to small businesses using Novell Linux Small Business Suite, Trend Micro continues offering its simplified security solutions to these customers for which the effectiveness of every application is critical."

Richard Ku, Trend Micro, Inc. Director of Product Management