The dramatic pricing shift reflects a larger change of strategy for Novell, moving from a focus on directory seats and market share to eyeing the potential revenue stream from applications that ride on top of the directory, according to Ben Anderson, vice president of product management for Net directory services at Novell. Because it holds the key to unlocking user identity, preferences, and policy data, the directory has emerged as an important component of Internet services and e-business applications, Novell officials said. There is a whole host of applications that need to know user data. According to Michael Hoch, senior analyst at Aberdeen Group, in Boston, Novell is hoping the move will give its eDirectory a wider play among application developers. In order to buy and adopt directory technology, enterprises need a specific purpose in mind, Hoch said.
Few companies buy directories for the sake of having a directory.
You buy a commerce platform, and along with it you get a directory. This is showing that Novell recognizes they can get in the door more easily if they come in with an application. Novell also rolled out a Web-based directory portal called the LDAPzone. The free service is designed to offer developers a central repository for educational materials, software, and other directory-related information. The community portal features XML tools, sample directory code, programming resources, and LDAP tools, according to Novell officials.