Novell Launches Small Business Suite 6.5

Novell on Wednesday said it would ship the newest version of its Small Business Suite, a collection of network services and collaboration tools targeting smaller shops with smaller IT budgets, next week.

Novell Small Business Suite 6.5, which will roll out Feb. 20, includes the newest versions of Novell's networking and collaborative products, said the Utah-based company, as well as doubles the maximum number of licenses allowed from 50 to 100.

The suite includes NetWare 6.5 -- Novell's network operating system and collection of network services, such as print, file sharing, and clustering -- the GroupWise 6.5 enterprise communication and collaboration platform (which includes instant messaging, e-mail, and calendaring), and Novell BorderManager 3.8, a collection of network security software that combines a firewall and virtual private network (VPN) functionality.

Also tucked into the bundle are a variety of open-source software -- including the Apache Web server and the MySQL database -- Novell's ZENWorks desktop management software, and Nterprise Branch Office 1.02, which extends network services to remote locations.

Earlier editions of Small Business Suite allowed for only 50 licenses, but the new version can be licensed for as many as 100 seats, said Novell. Another licensing change to the bundle: companies are not charged for printers or other devices that access the software services of the suite, but only those employees who actually log on the network.Prices for Small Business Suite 6.5 will start at $475 per five new licenses, or $262 per five existing licenses for those organizations upgrading. Five server licenses are included in the prices.