Novell's survival at the hands of Microsoft

'Novell's got a good chance'

Novell's survival over the next 18 months depends on the success of NetWare 6.0. Concerns focus on the launch of an equivalent product from Microsoft .Net, which will ruin NetWare 6.0's chances of winning significant market share, according to a key spokesperson at the company. Adrian Carr, managing director of Novell subsidiary Cambridge Technology Partners, said take-up and success of NetWare 6.0 is vital to Novell and its One Net vision: "If we launch this (NetWare 6.0) and Microsoft gives its equivalent away with Windows 2001, it's going to be very difficult for Novell." Carr added: "The question we've asked is where does NetWare fit into Microsoft's development strategy. Novell has got a good chance," he said. NetWare 6.0 is a networking operating system that allows a user to find and connect to the nearest available printer from a laptop in a hotel bedroom or access private files from any log-on station. It's ability to track devices and files throughout the internet is part of Novell's One Net view, that there should be just "one big net", according to Carr. The product will be launched on Wednesday 12 September.