Madge NV’s Madge Networks Inc in San Jose is joining forces with Novell Inc in a Branch Office Strategy to supply integrated network product systems for the Token Ring branch office market. The strategy will focus on server-based systems, specifically the integration of intelligent cable management, bridging, routing and network management into the NetWare file server. This, say the companies, will result in a network system that is remotely manageable, has fewer devices to support, and which has a lower cost per network node. The strategy will incorporate product components from both companies, including Madge’s Smart 16/4 Bridgenodes, to be used in conjunction with Novell’s NetWare MultiProtocol Router 2.1, and the Smart 16/4 AT Client Ringnode for connection of MS-DOS and Windows micros. Also part of the strategy is Madge’s new Smart 16/4 AT Hubcard, a server-based Token Ring hub featuring automatic fault recovery and remote SNMP-based management, compatible with Novell’s NetWare Management System 2.0. The product is available through Madge resellers for UKP825. On the sales and marketing side, Madge’s newly-created national account sales team will work with Novell’s national accounts group. The companies will also be launching joint development and channel programmes in 1994, and will continue to sell their products through their distributors and resellers. The pact is informal, in that no written agreement exists between the companies, and Madge acknowledges that Novell has dozens of similar selling arrangements. However, it adds that there is good synergy between the respective product sets, to underpin the relationship. For its part, Novell says that its research shows that 50% of branch office SNA networks will use Token Ring, and cites Madge’s success in delivering superior Token Ring systems for enterprise-critical networks as its reason for the partnership.
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