November 17, 1999 Web posted at: 2:29 p.m. EST (1929 GMT) by Jana Sanchez

From...

LAS VEGAS (IDG) -- Novell has announced a version of NDS (Novell Directory Services) that runs on the Windows NT, Novell NetWare and Sun Microsystems' Solaris operating systems.

Available now, the NDS eDirectory is a directory platform that allows the user to collect, store and communicate information about users, customers and business partners.

In addition to the three platforms that are available now, the directory will also work with Linux and Compaq's Tru64 Unix OS in the first half of next year.

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Novell is touting NDS e-Directory as an e-commerce tool that will allow companies to share information with its partners and suppliers.

"Extranet equals extra work ... rather than create a VPN (virtual private network) you are sharing information using open protocols like SSL (secure sockets layer) and LDAP (lightweight directory access protocol)," said Paul Corriveau, NDS product marketing manager, in an interview.

The new directory is being positioned as a product that e-commerce vendors can use to build up highly personalized profiles to offer customized services to customers.

One of Novell's clients, announced here, is CNN Interactive, which will use the technology to store user profiles for its Web site. When users log onto the directory via CNN's Web site, they will receive customized news, services and advertising, Corriveau said.

"Building this kind of personalized information in order to target customers is the real importance of directories," said Dana Gardner, an analyst with Aberdeen Group in Boston. "By having robust directories, companies can target specific individuals and offer the services those people want."

"It's all about loyalty -- creating relationships and customized services is the only way to build loyalty," Corriveau said.

"Customers benefit because the information about their wants and needs can be supplied to a large number of product and service providers," Gardner said.

By using eDirectory you can allow partners to access your directory using a browser via LDAP, Corriveau said. The partners do not have to have eDirectory.

Privacy concerns are also addressed by the directory, Corriveau said. "eDirectory has built-in access controls so you can decide how much information partners share."

In an attempt to get software vendors to develop applications for eDirectory, Novell is giving away the directory to any ISV (independent software vendors). The ISVs can download it and use it to develop their applications and they can bundle a limited eDirectory license with their software.

Novell also announced the availability of NDS Corporate Edition, an application that sits on top of NDS e-Directory that integrates network resources across multiple platforms.

NDS eDirectory is $2 per user and NDS Corporate Edition is $26 per user.

Jana Sanchez is London bureau chief for the IDG News Service.