Novell Introduces NetWare Global Messaging Server-Based Messaging Engine Delivers Corporate-Wide Services SALT LAKE CITY, Utah -- March 24, 1992 -- Novell today announced its new NetWare Global Messaging server, a messaging integration platform that meets customers' needs for powerful, reliable and manageable messaging services across corporate-wide environments. It supports a wide array of store-and-forward messaging applications, such as workflow automation, electronic data interchange, electronic mail and groupware. "Just as customer demand for integrated, cross-platform file and print services drove the network computing industry in the '80s, we believe that the need for corporate-wide messaging will be a key driving force in the '90s," said Darrell Miller, executive vice president of Novell. "Our customers have been asking for a powerful, store-and-forward engine that provides transparent interoperability among the most widely used messaging systems," said Miller. "The NetWare Global Messaging server answers those needs with support for multiple protocols and interfaces, directory synchronization, and the availability of more than one hundred compatible applications." Implemented as a set of NetWare Loadable Modules on a NetWare v3.11 server, NetWare Global Messaging is tightly integrated with the NetWare operating system and takes full advantage of the operating system's powerful file and print, communications, name, network management and security services. Supports Corporate-Wide Messaging Requirements NetWare Global Messaging features include: Multiple protocol support: The NetWare Global Messaging architecture can be thought of as a messaging hub supporting multiple messaging protocol modules. The asynchronous and internet message transfer protocols supported by NetWare MHS are built in to the initial release of the product. Additional optional protocol modules will follow, supporting the OSI standard X.400; Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP), a popular protocol for UNIX users; System Network Architecture Distribution Service (SNADS) for IBM mainframe-based messaging systems, and other standard messaging environments. Directory synchronization: The NetWare Global Messaging directory database is both distributed and replicated across multiple servers, and is updated when participating servers send directory update messages to each other. The updates can be triggered automatically or manually, and can consist of a complete reconciliation of the database, or only the changes that have occurred since the last update. The messaging directory synchronization feature is designed to be consistent with the NetWare operating system's current and future approaches to directory services. Asynchronous communications support: Corporate-wide messaging requires transmitting messages beyond the local area network to servers at remote sites. NetWare Global Messaging's asynchronous communications features include support for multiple transmission media, simplified modem definition, public data network support, and communications through both the protocol supported by NetWare MHS v1.5 and a faster protocol that uses sliding windows. High-speed multiport intelligent communication controllers will be available from third parties to provide communication speeds of more than 100 kbits/sec. Multiple interface support: NetWare Global Messaging uses the NetWare Standard Message Format (SMF) application programming interface (API). Now in its third generation, NetWare SMF has added support for long names, hierarchical naming schemes and directory synchronization. NetWare Global Messaging also supports the XAPIA gateway interface to X.400 servers, and will support other leading APIs, including Vendor-Independent Messaging (VIM), Microsoft's Messaging API (MAPI) and Apple's Open Collaborative Environment (OCE) , as they emerge. NetWare Global Messaging is part of the NetWare Messaging Environment, which includes Novell's widely used NetWare MHS store-and-forward engine for LAN-based messaging, Personal MHS for remote access to messaging systems, NetWare Messaging CONNECT, for interoperability between MHS and SNADS environments, and well over 100 compatible third-party applications. Pricing and Availability The NetWare Global Messaging server will begin shipping early this summer. It is priced at $1,095 for 10 users, $2,895 for 50 users, $4,895 for 100 users and $7,295 for 250 users. Novell Inc. (NASDAQ: NOVL) is an operating system software company, the developer of network services, specialized and general purpose operating system software products including NetWare, DR DOS, DR Multiuser DOS and FlexOS. Novell's NetWare network computing products manage and control the sharing of services, data and applications among computer workgroups, departmental networks and business-wide information systems.