Novell To Acquire Joint Venture Partner in India

Novell To Acquire Joint Venture Partner in India

Novell, Inc., today announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the 50% stake held by its partner in Onward Novell, its sales and distribution arm in India. Novell will integrate the Onward Novell organization with the company’s existing India operations, increasing Novell’s investment in the region. The move reflects Novell’s strong commitment to bringing its Linux* and identity solutions to the rapidly growing Indian market. As a result, Novell will be able to better serve its Indian customers, while simultaneously enhancing its existing development and technical support operations in the region. Novell expects to close the transaction by the end of its fiscal year.

“In India, Linux and open source are increasingly permeating applications such as mail messaging, file & print, and web hosting. Identity and access management solutions are also getting increased traction in the IT services and BPO sector in India due to privacy and compliance issues,” said Praveen Sengar, analyst, Software and Services Research, IDC India. “Hence, Novell’s decision to take direct control of its business in India should enable it to have more focus on the Indian market and to deliver Linux and identity and access management solutions more effectively.”

Novell has operated in India since 1992 as Onward Novell, a 50/50 joint venture with a local Indian partner. Onward Novell Managing Director Harish Mehta will continue to advise the wholly owned Novell operation. Rhonda O’Donnell, president, Novell Asia-Pacific, will assume responsibility for the operations, with support from a local senior management team.

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