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NOVELL JOINS THE OPEN GROUP TO PURSUE ADVANCEMENT OF DIRECTORY STANDARDS
Industry Leader to Collaborate with Directory Program Group to Ensure Directory-Enabled Applications Work in Mixed Computing Environments

 MENLO PARK, Calif. (July 12, 1999) - The Open Group, a leading consortium dedicated to enterprise integration, today announced Novell (NASDAQ: NOVL) has joined as a new member to work with the consortium's Directory Program Group to help develop and promote open directory standards.  These standards will enable IT and network managers to store and retrieve information about access and configuration for virtually any device or user in a network.   Examples of directory information include e-mail addresses, phone numbers and other user identity information vital to conducting e-business. 

Directory-enabled applications help IT managers integrate and adopt new applications and technologies without having to redesign the network infrastructure.  A vendor and technology-neutral directory standard will help independent software vendors (ISVs) like Novell develop applications faster and more efficiently, allowing them to get products to market faster while guaranteeing the interoperability of applications from multiple vendors.

"As the leading provider of directory services, Novell has chosen to work with The Open Group to take an active role in accelerating the availability of open directory-based applications to help our customers better manage their network infrastructure," said Chris Stone, Senior Vice President, Strategy and Corporate Development, Novell Inc.   "With its knowledge and experience promoting industry standards and ensuring interoperability and conformance, Novell recognizes the importance of working with The Open Group to ensure the success and compliance of existing and evolving directory standards."

In addition to access to The Open Group's Directory Program group, Novell's membership provides the ability to leverage the consortium's multiple program groups, forums, research and world class conferences.   The Open Group's unique blend of IT corporate end users and vendors brings added value to IT enterprise software vendors, where they can obtain valuable feedback on the needs of corporate IT managers from around the world.

"We are pleased to welcome Novell into The Open Group," said Allen Brown, COO and Acting President of The Open Group.  "As a member, they will add value to our directory program group.   At the same time , they will benefit from the feedback from our buy-side members that will help shape any directory solutions that will help enable IT integration across the enterprise."

Membership in The Open Group means joining a global network of buyers and suppliers who are developing frameworks, best business practices, and standards in key areas such as security, architecture, management, application integration, and mobile network computing.  Through the power of its membership, The Open Group is an organization in open, technology-independent standards that enable IT integration across the enterprise.

ABOUT THE OPEN GROUP

The Open Group is committed to delivering greater business efficiency by bringing together buyers and suppliers of information systems to lower the cost and risks associated with integrating new technology across the enterprise.  The Open Group, a vender and technology-neutral consortium, ensures that multi-vendor information technology matches the demands and needs of customers.  This is achieved through the development and deployment of frameworks, polices, best practices and standards in pursuit of the group's IT DialTone vision --- the concept of making all technology as open and accessible as using a telephone.

By leveraging the expertise of its sponsors - Compaq (NSYE: CPQ), Fujitsu, HP (NYSE: HWP), Hitachi (TSE:6501), IBM (NYSE: IBM), NCR (NYSE: NCR), Siemens, Sun (NASDAQ: SUNW) - and other members comprising leading software companies, Fortune 500 users and government departments, The Open Group is well on its way to achieving the DialTone vision. Embracing the maxim: "we can do so much more together than alone", The Open Group is helping its members to stay ahead in the race to use technology to gain competitive advantage.  Additional information about The Open Group is available at the consortium's web site at http://www.opengroup.org.

Note to editors: IT DialTone and The Open Group are trademarks of The Open Group in the US and other countries. All other products or company names mentioned are used for identification purposes only, and may be trademarks of their respective owners.