Novell Inc has partnered with year 2000 specialist Greenwich Mean Time to bundle GMT’s Y2K software with its network software. Novell claims the agreement marks the first time a major network software manufacturer has incorporated GMT’s Y2K technology to tackle the year 2000 problems on networked PCs. The partnership will see Novell selling GMT’s Check 2000T Client Server toolset via its existing global reseller channel. Check 2000 Client Server will also become part of Novell’s ZENworks v1.1, the directory-services based desktop and application management tool announced in February (CI No 3,350). The deal also allows for Novell to integrate Check 2000 with its other products going forward. Novell says that the tie-up with GMT follows a technical evaluation of all the available Y2K tools, and will offer 80 million NetWare users a comprehensive desktop management that can assess and remedy many Y2K problems. ZENworks 1.1, including a five-user version of Check 2000, will be available in the fourth quarter of this year. Novell will also make Check 2000 Client Server available to non-ZENworks customers. Pricing has yet to be announced.
