Novell

Novell, Inc. was an American software company known for its early dominance in local area networks and directory services. Its NetWare operating system provided a widely used network stack in the 1980s and 1990s. The company also developed directory services (NetWare Directory Services, later rebranded as eDirectory) and a suite of enterprise tools such as GroupWise for messaging and ZENworks for systems management. Novell played a central role in the development of client/server networking and interoperability standards during its peak years.

History and products: Founded in 1979 in Utah, Novell grew rapidly under leaders who pursued a strategy of expanding its software stack through acquisitions and internal development. NetWare became the flagship product, popular for file, print, and network services in business environments. In the 1990s, Novell expanded its directory services with NetWare Directory Services, which evolved into eDirectory to support cross-platform environments. The company also offered collaboration and management products to address enterprise IT needs and, at times, pursued Unix and UnixWare strategies to broaden its platform footprint.

Corporate transitions: As the market shift toward Windows and later cloud and open-source models accelerated, Novell’s market position declined. In 2010, the company was acquired by The Attachmate Group for about $2.2 billion. The following year, Attachmate merged with Micro Focus International, bringing Novell’s assets into Micro Focus. The SUSE Linux division was later separated from Novell’s legacy business and became a standalone company after a 2019 sale, while NetWare, GroupWise, and eDirectory are remembered as key elements of Novell’s legacy in enterprise networking.

Legacy: Novell’s impact lies in popularizing networked computing models and enterprise directory services, shaping the trajectory of LANs and IT management in the 1980s and 1990s.