iChain forms basis of e=commerce transaction processing
iChain Extends NDS eDirectory to Provide a True Platform
For Business-to-Business,
iChain Delivers a Directory-Based Engine for Billable Digital Content
On the Net
Novell Channel Partners, Consulting Firms and Systems Integrators Key
To Delivery
SAN JOSE, Calif., Feb. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Novell, Inc., (Nasdaq: NOVL)
today announced iChain(TM), secure intranet and extranet integration services
that become the foundation for linking business processes between multiple
companies through the Net. In addition, iChain provides a foundation for
these services in hosting environments, with full billing system integration.
An extension of NDS(R) eDirectory(TM) services, iChain allows fine-grained
security to be established between organizations, while simplifying the way in
which rights and privileges are managed. Groups of users or entire
organizations can be assigned security privileges that reflect their role in a
business process, to receive secure, controlled access to the information and
applications they need.
"iChain provides companies a very real ability to extend their traditional
business relationships and processes to customers and partners on the Net,"
commented Dave Shirk, Novell(R) senior vice president, product management.
"iChain represents an evolution of Novell's traditional expertise -- managing
business resources with a directory on internal networks -- to managing
business resources with our directory on one Net merging the enterprise and
the Internet."
For an expanding ecosystem of Novell partners, including software vendors
and system integrators, iChain provides a much-needed platform to build and
integrate applications and business processes that leverage or re-purpose
information already captured. As an example, today Whittman-Hart announced a
new iChain initiative called e-Catalog, an end-to-end e-commerce solution that
allows companies to leverage their ERP software investment and offer their
Internet customers a personalized catalog of products and services.
Authorize.Net, a leading payment authorization service for online business
worldwide, is pleased to announce their support of iChain. "We see Novell
taking the next logical step in the establishment of an e-business
infrastructure by introducing integration points from their new iChain service
to online merchant services and transaction processing," said David O. Heaps,
president and CEO of Authorize.Net. "Leveraging its directory competence to
provide enhanced e-commerce capabilities will ensure that Novell's e-business
initiatives are successful." For more information on Authorize.Net see
authorize.net.
Several leading e-business companies, including Broadvision, Intershop and
Plumtree Software, among others, announced support today for iChain.
Additionally, iChain-related services will be available from Novell Channel
partners as well as via Novell Consulting and System Integrator partners later
this year. Novell Consulting Services and its integrator partners are
providing multiple Business Solution Offerings that leverage the power of
iChain and the B2B issues that iChain addresses. Please see
www.novell.com/ichain for specific partner and channel announcements.
IDC predicts that commerce conducted over the Internet will top
$3 trillion by the year 2003. While providing a directory-based
infrastructure framework for business-to-business commerce with iChain, Novell
will work with its partners to provide customers with a complete end-to-end
solution.
iChain Functionality
Dubbed "iChain" for its role in managing relationships between a
corporation's suppliers, customers and partners in an Internet supply chain,
this framework from Novell demonstrates the power and flexibility of NDS
eDirectory in providing management and control over millions of disparate
pieces of data and information. Specifically, iChain provides common
security, authentication, and management for e-business applications in a
business-to-business environment. A complete white paper detailing the
components and capabilities of iChain is available at: www.novell.com/ichain.
Highlights include:
-- NDS eDirectory -- Novell's next-generation directory services provide a
software foundation for secure, scalable e-business applications and services
that can be customized to meet the needs and preferences of individual
consumers and business users. iChain leverages Novell's replication
technology, including DirXML, which enables eDirectory to present a unified
view of data and information by integrating the disparate data systems in an
environment.
-- Extranet Access Management -- manages and protects the information and
integrity of Web-based business transactions over the Internet. Provides
employees and customers with access to the Web resources based on their roles
and privileges. Security services within iChain provide secure access and
ensure confidentiality.
-- DirCommerce (Directory Commerce Services) -- extends NDS by adding the
ability for companies to host complete commerce services for e-business by
adding fee-based goods and services into the directory. In addition, billing
and reporting tools are provided to assist with financial management.
Integration tools are also available to assist customers who wish to leverage
their existing billing and reporting processes.
-- Authentication Proxy -- is responsible for the authentication of all
users to the network using various means such as passwords, tokens, smart
cards, certificates, and biometrics. The authentication server also provides
a single sign-on for all applications the user has access to.
-- Community Services -- allows for the creation of communities of users
and define policies and rights for those users. Custom portals can be created
for the various digital communities based on areas of interest.
-- E-Business Application Integration -- open APIs and support for LDAP
and DirXML are available for easy integration of third party e-commerce and
other applications. Additionally, Novell is actively engaging in partnerships
with the market leaders in the e-business space in order to deliver together
complete solutions leveraging the iChain infrastructure.
Availability
iChain will be available via a controlled release to select partners
within 60 days. The iChain solution will be available from Novell Channel
partners as well as via Novell Consulting and System Integrator partners later
this year. Please visit www.novell.com/ichain for more information. |
