Small Business News Briefs

Novell Improves NetWare 6.5 Licensing
Upon the official release of Microsoft’s Small Business Server 2003 last week, Novell made some licensing enhancements to the upcoming release of its Small Business Suite 6.5.

What’s the bottom line? Novell is doubling the number of user licenses for the suite — up to 100 from 50. The move is to make the Novell Small Business Suite competitive with other small business networking packages, like Microsoft’s Small Business Server that can handle up to 75 users.

The next Novell Small Business Suite will include Novell NetWare 6.5, and comes along with a full-fledged collaboration system, dubbed Novell GroupWise. Novell ZENworks provides the management services required to run the oprating system. Network security is handled through Novell BorderManager 3.8. Novell Small Business Suite 6.5 will also feature simplified configuration wizards to make it easier for resellers to implement Novell networking solutions for small businesses.

Since Novell’s April introduction of the Novell Small Business Suite Starter Pack program, which allows qualified Novell resellers to deploy limited-license versions of the Novell Small Business Suite free of licensing fees, new installations of the suite have doubled. More than 1,500 solution providers have joined Novell’s small business program.

Joe Cook, owner of Cook’s Computer & Software Service, a Novell solution provider partner in Broken Bow, Okla., said the need for network reliability, security and return on investment is not limited to big corporations.

“The ability to respond rapidly to customers is often even more critical for small businesses, where even one lost customer hits the bottom line quickly,” Cook said. “Novell’s solution is giving my customers the tools they need to stay ahead.”

Novell also announced the open beta of Novell Small Business Suite 6.5 would be available in December. The “gold disk” version of Novell’s complete networking suite for small businesses will ship early in 2004. Pricing and general availability will be announced at a later date.

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Toshiba Debuts Satellite Notebook Duo
Toshiba introduced a pair of new notebook PCs designed for small businesses on the go. The Satellite A10-S129 and A20-S259 are said to increase office efficiency while also allowing workers to remain flexible in their work environment.

The notebooks offer a choice of Microsoft Office XP Small Business or Microsoft Office XP Professional software. Pricing starts at $1,079 for the Satellite A10-S129, the notebook features a built-in DVD-ROM/CD-RW multi-function drive, 15-inch diagonal XGA display and 40 GB of storage on the hard disk drive. A wireless upgrade is optional.

For frequent wireless users, the Satellite A20-S259 includes fast wireless Internet access with a built-in Wi-Fi (802.11g) connectivity, a DVD-ROM/CD-RW multi-function drive, 256 MB of memory and 40GB of hard disk drive space. In addition, the Satellite A20-S259 includes a built-in Secure Digital slot for easy transfer digital and audio files from a variety of consumer electronic devices, including Toshiba’s digital cameras and Pocket PC devices. Pricing for this model starts at $1,379.

Both notebooks are available for immediate purchase online or through Toshiba’s traditional distribution venues, including national value-added resellers and retail outlets.

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1&1 Internet Opens U.S. Operations
In order to celebrate the U.S. debut of 1&1 Internet webhosting services, the well-known European firm is offering free website hosting for a limited time. Small businesses that sign up between now until Jan. 14, 2004 will get three years of webhosting services for free.

Normally offered for $29 a month, the webhosting promotion represents a savings of $1,044 over the three-year term. However, there are limits to 1&1 Internet’s generosity. Qualified site-keepers are allowed 500 MB of server space and 5,000 MB of throughput per month. There are no limits on simultaneous hits or bandwidth.

Andreas Gauger, chief executive officer for 1&1 Internet, said the company’s goal is to expand on its world leadership in webhosting services for small-businesses.

1&1 Internet, a subsidiary of United Internet, has registered 3.5 million domain names since established in 1992. The company currently plays host to more than 2.5 million customers. 1&1 Internet is a full-service webhost providing a range of services, such as domain name registration, shared hosting, dedicated hosting, and secure e-commerce hosting systems. The company’s U.S. headquarters is located in Berwyn, Pa.

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Pair of New Multi-Function Copiers from Canon
Canon introduced two new multi-function laser copiers this week. The Canon imageCLASS D780 and D760 digital copier/printers are intended for small businesses that need a robust copier/printer.

The copiers feature Canon’s Single Cartridge System, which contains the drum, development unit and toner in one replaceable cartridge. The D780 and D760 both use the L50 cartridge that has a yield of approximately 5,000 black-and-white copies. Both devices deliver up to 16 letter-sized copies per minute — 12 cpm for legal-size documents.

The imageCLASS D780 and D760 feature default resolution of 600 x 600 dpi and interpolated resolution of up to 1200 x 600 dpi for high-quality imaging. Both products support parallel and USB interfaces with an optional network adapter available through Canon. Both products offer fast, efficient paper handling through a 500-sheet front loading paper cassette and a 100-sheet multi-purpose tray, which accepts a variety of media including bond, plain and colored paper, transparencies, labels and envelopes.

The imageCLASS D780 incorporates a 33.6 Kbps Super G3 fax into its feature set. Fax functions include 12 one-touch speed dial numbers and 100-coded speed dial numbers. The fax has a 255-page memory capacity and is capable of sequential broadcasting.

Both devices come with a three-year limited warranty with first year on-site service. The imageCLASS D760 retails for $600 and imageCLASS D780 sells for about $700. Both units are available for shipping immediately.

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Small Business Computing Staff
Small Business Computing Staff
Small Business Computing addresses the technology needs of small businesses, which are defined as businesses with fewer than 500 employees and/or less than $7 million in annual sales.

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