The Waltham, Massachusetts-based Linux and identity management software vendor has promoted Volker Smid to the EMEA role from his former position as general manager for Central Europe, which covers Germany, Austria, and Eastern Europe. Smid had held that role since May 2005, and takes over from Francese was appointed president of EMEA in October 2005 with a mandate to sort out what was then a troublesome region for Novell.
Francese was promoted to the role of executive vice president of worldwide sales in October 2006, and it is debatable whether the EMEA business improved under his tenure.
Novell recently announced revenue of $86.4m from EMEA in its fourth quarter, representing 35.3% of its total revenue. Year-on-year revenue was down from $120.8m and 42.0% of the total from the fourth quarter of 2005.
On the plus side, EMEA was only responsible for 31.9% of Novell revenue (or $92.6m) in the third quarter of 2005, immediately prior to Francese’s appointment. The percentage figure rose to 34.7% in the third quarter of this year, although revenue fell to $83.8m.
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