Compaq and Novell Strengthen Partnership to Grow the Networking Market
HOUSTON, Texas--Compaq Computer Corporation and Novell, Inc. today announced they have established closer ties to accelerate the growth and development of the personal computer networking market. The two companies announced the signing of a Master Business Agreement (MBA) that builds upon their longstanding relationship and outlines new areas of cooperation, including:
· Jointly developing new products
· Simplifying the management and control of PC networks
· Raising the level of network dependability
· Working together to enhance multivendor integration
"Compaq is committed to strengthening our leadership position in the PC networking market by joining forces with Novell to mutually address customers' increased demands for new products, service, support and systems integration," said Eckhard Pfeiffer, President and Chief Executive Officer of Compaq Computer Corporation. "I'm very excited about moving to a new level of cooperation with Compaq
because together, we can put products and systems in place to advance the state of the industry."
The agreement reinforces the fact that Compaq and Novell will align their strategies to give customers greater network dependability and outstanding new products.
THE SHIFT TO PC NETWORKS
The COMPAQ SYSTEMPRO PC System, in combination with Novell NetWare, mobilized the downsizing trend, allowing companies to move their computing programs from expensive minicomputers to PC-based networks that operate at lower costs. Compaq and Novell share a common goal of accelerating this growing market.
"Customers are continuing to shift their critical business applications to PC networks, and Compaq is in the forefront of that movement," said Gary Stimac, Senior Vice President, Systems Division, Compaq Computer Corporation.
"We can aggressively move forward with Novell in this market because we are committed to an open systems strategy."
KEYS TO MARKET GROWTH
The Compaq/Novell agreement includes three key areas of cooperation that ease PC network implementation, while stimulating market growth.
First, Compaq and Novell will work together to simplify the management and control of PC networks. The companies will cooperate in joint development, marketing and support of network management products, while encouraging and supporting independent software vendor (ISV) development efforts.
Second, the two companies are moving forward with their joint efforts to raise the level of network dependability through increased server fault tolerance. Novell System Fault Tolerance is a mirrored server technology that will provide new levels of network availability in critical business environments.
Novell System Fault Tolerance is currently in the hands of several beta test customers. Compaq and Novell are working together to thoroughly test it at select customer sites in preparation for more widespread distribution in the second half.
Third, the agreement provides a framework for the companies to continue their work in advancing multivendor integration and support. To that end, Compaq plans to offer a variety of Novell software products and support services to its customers. Specific product, support and distribution plans will be
announced at a later date.
BUILDING ON A SOLID FOUNDATION
The MBA is based on the ongoing relationship between Compaq and Novell in the areas of customer support, distribution and multivendor integration.
To ensure the success of this effort, Compaq has formed a Novell business group within the Systems Division to meet increase customer expectations for these new products and services.
Customers already enjoy broad support for Novell software on COMPAQ personal computer products since many COMPAQ Authorized Resellers around the world are also Novell Authorized Dealers.
The agreement also builds upon the existing Compaq/Novell Joint Integration Agreement (JIA) and Technical Support Alliance (TSA), which facilitate the seamless support of Compaq/Novell systems.
CUSTOMER APPLAUDS COMPAQ/NOVELL RELATIONSHIP
Marc Milstein, Vice President of Information Systems at Children's Medical Center of Dallas, stressed the importance of his Compaq/Novell network.
"To keep our hospital running smoothly, Children's Medical Center relies on Novell NetWare and COMPAQ SYSTEMPROs and desktop PCs in critical application areas, such as materials management and operating room scheduling. We made this decision because the combination of COMPAQ and Novell products offers a high degree of quality and compatibility in a networked environment," said Milstein. |
