Newsgroups: bit.listserv.novell
Date:         Thu, 1 Oct 1992 16:23:53 PDT
Reply-To:     Novell LAN Interest Group <NOVELL@SUVM.BITNET>
From:         "(Janet Perry)" <janetp@NOVELL.COM>
Subject:      Network Navigator

Novell Introduces Electronic Software Distribution Strategy
 Ships Network Navigator DOS-LAN Distributor v2.0

PROVO, UTAH -- September 29, 1992 -- As part of its overall
strategy to provide an integration platform that enables the
development and delivery of sophisticated network services,
Novell today outlined its Electronic Software Distribution
(ESD) strategy.  The strategy  paves the way for NetWare users
to reduce the cost and resources required to manage software
on their networks. The company announced the availability, on
October 5, 1992, of Network Navigator DOS-LAN Distributor v2.0,
the first ESD solution from Novell.  The product is the first of
its kind and provides the level of automated software management
traditionally found only in large, hierarchical mainframe
environments.

Network Navigator DOS-LAN Distributor v2.0, developed by the
NetWare Systems Group - Boulder (formerly Annatek), provides
a means for controlled distribution, installation and
maintenance of software applications and data in heterogeneous
networks and host-based environments.  It offers management
reports, simplified version control and synchronization of data
on all servers and clients on the network while providing
significant savings over traditional methods of software
management. Network Navigator DOS-LAN Distributor v2.0 provides
an option for software distribution activities to be performed
unattended and in off-peak hours.  ESD also makes software
management transparent to end users, reducing productivity
losses.

 The advanced functionality of the product promotes the move of
business-critcal operations to network computing environments.
It provides the software and data management  capabilities
needed by customers who are participating in the rightsizing
trend.

"One of the operational realities of distributed systems will
be the need to maintain currency of data and executable code
on literally hundreds to thousands of computers," said Bill
Kirwin, vice president of PC Services, Gartner Group.  "With
Novell's new electronic software distribution technology , they
are significantly ahead of other system software players in this
area."

Network Navigator DOS-LAN Distributor v2.0 and NetWare

Network Navigator DOS-LAN Distributor v2.0 is NetWare aware, and
utilizes NetWare's bindery to ease the ESD administrative functions.
The product will currently simplify the process of software and data
distribution on NetWare v2.x and NetWare v3.x networks.

"NetWare is an extensible network computing architecture, making
it possible for sophisticated network services to be added as
user needs dictate,"  said Jan Newman, executive vice president,
NetWare Systems Group at Novell.  "Our Network Navigator DOS-LAN
Distributor v2.0 provides users with advanced electronic software
distribution services, and comes to market only 90 days after the
merger with Annatek, the industry leader in this area."

Network Navigator DOS-LAN Distributor v2.0 can be installed
automatically in NetWare clients through use of information
contained in the NetWare bindery. It also uses the bindery to
create distribution lists.  Additionally, the NetWare bindery is
used to create lists of users who are authorized to use Network
Navigator to send software and data.

Network Navigator DOS-LAN Distributor v2.0

Network Navigator DOS-LAN Distributor v2.0 has an open
architecture that is network operating system independent.  It
supports any distributed computing environment that allows
file-sharing and provides file support for DOS and Windows.
Specifically, it supports NetWare and other network operating
systems. It interfaces with other Network Navigator products
that run on MVS, VM, Tandem, DOS, Windows or OS/2.

Network Navigator DOS-LAN Distributor v2.0 provides customers
with robust software and data management in three main areas:

Distribution:  the product automatically distributes information
and software from a central point to multiple destinations.

Installation :  when data or software reach their destination,
it is automatically and transparently installed.  Because the
process is automated, users have no involvement in the
installation or update, assuring that there are no productivity
interruptions.

Scheduling:  a sophisticated scheduling utility allows
distribution and installation as well as other tasks to be
performed at a previously scheduled time.

The open nature of Network Navigator DOS-LAN Distributor v2.0
lets third parties develop additional ESD services.  These
services can be tightly integrated with the product and released
as user needs dictate.

Price and Availability

Network Navigator DOS-LAN Distributor v2.0 is available through
the Novell distribution channel by  Novell Platinum and Gold
resellers beginning October 5, 1992.    The Network Navigator
DOS-LAN Distributor v2.0 ranges in price from a suggested retail
price of $1000 U.S. for a 5 node version to $50,000 U.S. for a
1000 node version.

Education discounts for this product will be honored in the US and Canada.

Janet Perry