The technology agreement between Bullsoft, Compagnie des Machines Bull SA’s software division, and Netscape Communications Corp (CI No 3,499) is not a one-off according to Netscape executives who were ballyhooing the deal in Europe yesterday. Their US counterparts are keen to play down the significance of the agreement so as not to upset other software partners (CI No 3,500). On tour in Europe, Netscape said the initial phase of the deal will result in the integration of Netscape server security software into Billerica, Massachusetts-based Bullsoft’s SecurWare security suite. Over three to six months the companies will develop joint sales and marketing efforts, joint communications and share more resources. In the longer term this will lead to a tighter integration of products as well as new products expected in 12 to 18 months’ time. Netscape says that interoperability with other firewall products was still a priority and says that it will focus on extranet, portal and security services. Bull’s five-year plan instigated last year calls for it to develop e-commerce and security software in the high-end server sector as well as building on its work in the smart card field.
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