Melbourne Novell Users Group

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Newsletter of the Melbourne Novell Users Group June 1998

Novell announces the public beta of ManageWise version 2.6

Novell to Take Network Management Costs Even Lower with ManageWise 2.6

Next Version of Novell's Network Management Software Delivers Windows NT Console and NetWare 5 Support, NDS Monitoring and Year 2000 Readiness

EDGE Conference, SAN FRANCISCO -- June 29, 1998 -- Novell today announced the public beta for ManageWise(TM) 2.6, the next version of Novell's award-winning, standards-based networking management software. ManageWise 2.6 introduces new capabilities requested by customers for reducing network management costs: full compatibility with Novell's forthcoming NetWare(R) 5 network server platform, Windows NT console support, NDS(TM) monitoring, integration with Novell's Z.E.N.works desktop management solution, Year 2000 readiness and enhanced auto network discovery and traffic analysis.

These enhancements help increase productivity by increasing network uptime and speeding end-user support due to improved management and control of network resources. The ManageWise 2.6 enhancements also help reduce the total cost of owning and managing a network by improving network reliability and providing a more accurate picture of network resource use for planning and troubleshooting.

Making life easier for network managers

"Several of the new features in ManageWise 2.6 will make my job much easier," said Chuck Delaney, director of networks for Jackson Hewitt Tax Service in Virginia Beach, Virginia. "The NDS monitoring will be a big time saver; I can quickly hone in on abnormalities in the NDS tree without having to wade through levels of complexity to find them. I'm also looking forward to the Windows NT console support, which will allow me to manage our entire network from one workstation where I previously had to use two."

Key features in ManageWise 2.6

ManageWise 2.6 improves network reliability through Windows NT console support. The network administrator's workstation is the command center for network management. ManageWise 2.6 support for the Windows NT console ensures that network administrators can depend on their NT workstations to help them manage their networks efficiently.

NDS monitoring, another key feature, decreases network downtime by allowing network administrators to keep tabs on over 130 different types of objects in the NDS tree. At the first sign of trouble anywhere within the NDS tree, an alarm sounds to alert the network administrator, enabling him or her to locate the problem and fix it immediately.

Also important for maximizing end-user productivity will be ManageWise 2.6 integration with the next version of Z.E.N.works, Novell's award-winning desktop management solution, when it becomes available. Many organizations are using both Z.E.N.works and ManageWise to improve user productivity and maximize network resource availability and efficiency. ManageWise 2.6 and the next version of Z.E.N.works will share a common interface for similar functions, making it easier for the administrator to manage workstations.

ManageWise Versatility

ManageWise 2.6 provides the most comprehensive network management system for PC-LAN networks. It can also be used as an integrational component for enterprise networks because its compliance with open standards such as Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) enables it to seamlessly link to enterprise management software. This latest version has also been tested and validated as Year 2000 Ready by Novell, allowing customers to experience a smooth transition from 1999 to the year 2000 with no changes in functionality, data content or user interface.

"Organizations have become dependent on their networks to help them work more efficiently, and they are finding that the need to manage them is no longer an option," said Michael Simpson, director of marketing, Novell Services Group. "ManageWise 2.6, can save organizations time and money, which reduces the total cost of network ownership, and the biggest savings realized is in avoiding the loss of business opportunity due to inefficient or inoperable networks."

New in ManageWise 2.6

ManageWise 2.6 delivers key customer requirements that raise the network management bar and enable customers to manage both NetWare and Windows NT servers with a single tool. Customers can also remotely monitor and control their networks and workstations from a central location, making it easier than ever to keep a watchful eye on the network without having to stay at work 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The new features in ManageWise 2.6 help customers realize the following benefits:

Prevention of network downtime -- Windows NT console support, Year 2000 readiness, NDS monitoring, virus protection, server management and product maintenance all work in concert to allow network administrators to identify and address problems throughout the network before they impact the system. Network downtime will be minimized thanks to quick identification of abnormalities in the NDS tree; protection from every currently known virus; all appropriate enhancements and patches; and Year 2000 readiness for all ManageWise components including the console, server and desktop modules.
Worry-free planning for network growth and optimization -- Support for all versions of NetWare, including NetWare 5, Windows NT console, Windows 95 and Windows 98, allows users to implement the combination of server and desktop operating systems that best meets their network needs for the future.
Increased end-user productivity -- Enhanced traffic analysis and autodiscovery features help to ensure that network activity remains lightning-fast. When end-users can access information and resources from the network quickly and easily, productivity increases.
Faster end-user support -- ManageWise 2.6 will tightly integrate with the next version of Z.E.N.works when it becomes available. This integration will provide network administrators with a more efficient way to manage end-user resources, thus enabling more rapid response to end-user issues.

Novell Education to Provide ManageWise 2.6 Training

Novell Education is currently developing a course to support ManageWise 2.6. Education's course 730: Network Management Using ManageWise 2.6 will be available a few weeks after the final product ships. For more information on courses and training offered by Novell Education in the U.S., please call 1-800-233-3382. For worldwide Novell Education information, please call 1-800-222-7800 or visit http://education.novell.com/general/eduphone.htm for local and international toll free numbers. Specific details on ManageWise courses is available at http://education.novell.com/chaninfo/730crsd.htm.

Pricing and Availability

The ManageWise 2.6 beta is available free of charge for download at www.support.novell.com/beta/public. Pricing for the final product will be announced at a later date.

About ManageWise

Novell's ManageWise is the comprehensive network and systems management solution that enables successful management and control of the entire network for improved productivity among network users.
An open platform based on the SNMP standard, ManageWise allows management tasks to be accomplished from a single point of administration. By increasing productivity and ensuring the reliability of NetWare and Windows NT environments, ManageWise reduces the total cost of owning and managing a network. The early warning system in ManageWise helps prevent network downtime and the virus protection and change notification capabilities protect the network. With ManageWise, administrators are able to provide faster end-user support and network inventory management, and are better equipped to plan network growth and optimization by using ManageWise to spot trends and network bottlenecks. For more information about ManageWise, please refer to the ManageWise Web page located at http://www.novell.com/products/managewise/. For additional information about Novell's Year 2000 project, please refer to the Year 2000 Web page located at http://www.novell.com/year2000/.

About Z.E.N.works

Novell's Z.E.N.works, which provides zero effort networks for users, is the first directory-services based desktop management tool. Z.E.N.works makes using Windows-based desktops easier for users and reduces the cost of owning networked PCs with NDS and policy-enabled application distribution, workstation management and workstation maintenance. Z.E.N.works removes barriers to user productivity and allows network administrators to leverage NDS to allow the user to focus on business, not technology. With self-healing application delivery, desktops customized for the users needs and easy problem resolution, Z.E.N.works truly makes the network effortless for the user. For additional information about Z.E.N.works, please refer to the Z.E.N.works Web site located at http://www.novell.com/products/nds/zenworks/.

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