Novell Launches $17 Million PartnerNet Scholarship Program

Rewards and Simplifies Advanced CNE Skills Training

OREM, Utah -- January 8, 1996 -- Novell, Inc. today announced a $17 million
scholarship program for its North American PartnerNet channel in response
to brisk market demand for NetWare 4.1 and GroupWise solution design,
installation and support skills. Through this program, channel partners
and customers will benefit from the increased availability of certified
Novell support professionals. Over the next year, Novell will deliver
thousands of student kits, computer based training courses, discount
coupons for courses and coupons for free skills testing to Novell's
high-level Platinum and Gold level partners.

PartnerNet is a key component of Novell's strategy to enable the Smart
Global Network by connecting today's private business networks and the
Internet into a single information resource for businesses and consumers.
Support expertise in Novell's advanced products is critical to providing
access to networks that extend beyond traditional LANs to connect
businesses with customers, partners and suppliers.

Advanced PartnerNet skills are in growing demand. In 1995, Novell increased
its marketing of NetWare 4.1, resulting in growth of NetWare 4 revenues by
246 percent and installations to more than six million network nodes.
According to market analysts, NetWare outshipped all other network
operating systems combined by nearly a 2-to-1 margin in 1995, and
outshipped Microsoft Windows NT Server, used as a file and print server,
by more than a 4-to-1 margin. Simultaneously, GroupWise revenue rose 49
percent and the installed base surpassed five million users.

"We will definitely take advantage of this program," said Samuel Adicoff,
president of Edge Information Systems, Inc., a Northern California based
Novell Platinum level systems integrator with extensive NetWare Directory
Services (NDS) design and implementation experience. "It's a great
opportunity to get our CNEs trained on current NetWare and GroupWise
technologies at greatly reduced costs. The multifaceted nature of the
program means that different companies and individuals can choose the form
of training that works best."

The $17 million training investment demonstrates Novell's commitment to the
smooth growth of its PartnerNet channel. Novell mapped out the scholarship
investments with its PartnerNet council during NetWorld+InterOp last
September. Novell and the council quickly agreed on the program structure,
investment priorities and training options. Training options include
Novell student kits, computer-based training courses, discount coupons for
courses and free skills testing.

"It is increasingly difficult and costly to keep up with demands for new
technologies," said Michael Gansl, president of NETLAN, Inc., a New
York-based networking systems integrator established 11 years ago and the
first Novell Platinum level partner in New York. "A Novell scholarship
program that gives us incentives to fulfill these requirements is to our
advantage. With better trained personnel and better educated customers, we
have more opportunity to demonstrate the value proposition that networking
technology can provide to business."

The December roll-out represents the first phase of the year-long program,
which supplements normal PartnerNet benefits for Platinum and Gold level
partners.

"The PartnerNet channel is one of our strongest differentiators," said
Kerry Brock, director of reseller marketing. "We designed this scholarship
program with our reseller councils to ensure that our channel partners
maintain their competitive advantage and identity -- the most
knowledgeable, experienced and reliable source of up- to-date networking
solutions in the world."

More than 30,000 people attended Novell's NetWare 4.1: "First Class"
promotion between July and September. Students attending "First Class" are
opting for continued NetWare 4.1 training. Overall, Novell estimates that
there are more than 72,000 CNEs, 75,000 Certified Novell Administrators
and 3,000 Certified Novell Instructors. In addition, Novell trains more
than 62,500 student customers every month.

For more information on Novell, its sales programs, offices and channel
partners, visit the Novell world wide web site at http://www.novell.com.
Novell PartnerNet channel members can receive additional information
through the Novell Reseller Electronic Communication System or by
contacting a Novell sales office.

Novell (NASDAQ: NOVL) is the world's leading network software provider.
Novell software provides the infrastructure for a networked world,
enabling our customers to connect with other people and the information
they need, anytime and anyplace. Novell partners with other technology and
market leaders to help customers make networks a part of their everyday
lives.
 
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