Novell's PerfectOffice 3.0 — The First Network Suite; Milestone in Desktop Applications Transitioning to Network Applications to Support Pervasive Computing

Business Wire, Dec 14, 1994

OREM, Utah--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 14, 1994--Novell, Inc., (NASDAQ:NOVL) Wednesday announced it has begun shipping PerfectOffice 3.0, the first desktop suite of business applications that can also take advantage of the network and its services.

Today's news, together with the NetWare 4.1 announcement made earlier this week, delivers to market two promised core products from Novell that are key to pervasive computing -- an environment where people can connect to each other and the information they need anytime, anywhere. (See today's related PerfectOffice product announcement; NetWare 4.1 product and corporate announcements dated Dec. 12, 1994.)

PerfectOffice is the first example of the next generation of applications, known as network applications, that are necessary to support pervasive computing. In a pervasive environment where computing has broadened its reach and impact to an estimated one billion users by the end of this decade, applications must be more powerful, yet easier and more intuitive to use.

Network applications tap into the network and its services transparently, making it easy for people to work collaboratively and enabling them to retrieve, sort and organize network enriched information in more meaningful and productive ways. In addition to simplifying computing for end users, network applications also save administrative time and cost for information systems staffs who must manage information, users and resources on the complex, global networks that form the infrastructure for pervasive computing.

The PerfectOffice suite of applications are tightly integrated with each other, offering users a consistent look and feel with common toolbars, pull-down menus and key dialog boxes that make it easier to learn new applications. Because of its tight integration, PerfectOffice is both a personal productivity enhancer when used in a standalone environment and an organizational productivity tool when used collaboratively on a network.

PerfectOffice integrates leading Novell business applications including WordPerfect 6.1 (word processor), Quattro Pro 6.0 (spreadsheet), Presentations 3.0 (presentation graphics), InfoCentral 1.1 (personal information manager), Envoy 1.0 (workgroup publishing tool) and GroupWise 4.1 (integrated e-mail, calendaring and scheduling). PerfectOffice is unique in helping people work collaboratively and pervasively because of its workgroup publishing tools, task automation features and tight integration with groupware functions such as e-mail, calendaring and scheduling.

Envoy allows users to electronically view, annotate and distribute documents across the network even if they don't have access to the application that created the document. QuickTasks, accessible from the desktop, transform the applications into more task-oriented programs that work the way people work. Users can now automate the rote processes they do daily to get their work done. For example, they can customize morning routines that include launching e-mail, checking a calendar, assigning tasks, reviewing documents, etc.

Automation of common network tasks is also possible because PerfectOffice is tied into NetWare 4.1 and its services. As a result, users can automate tasks such as changing network passwords, mapping network drives, detaching from network servers or monitoring the status of network print jobs. Since all of the PerfectOffice applications are also integrated with GroupWise, the leading component in Novell s GroupWare family of products, the task automation will also automatically e-mail, fax, print or do electronic publishing across the network from within any of the applications.

Information managers also benefit from network applications that make it easier and less costly for them to globally manage information and resources and better support end-users across all network environments. The integration of PerfectOffice with NetWare 4.1 and its directory services will allow administrators to use the network's services to distribute, install and manage applications and their licenses from a central point on the enterprise through support of NetWare Navigator and NetWare Licensing Server.

Envoy compression features reduce files to one-third their original size to help conserve network bandwidth and resources. Network installation of PerfectOffice can be customized, as well. The Corporate model installation enables administrators to control the settings for printers, toolbars and templates for an enterprise from a central location.

PerfectOffice 3.0 is just the beginning for network applications. As Novell provides network services and groupware functions to application developers through AppWare and AppWare Loadable Modules (ALMs) and Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), the number of network applications will grow. Since the work of interfacing with the network has already been done for these services by Novell, application developers will be able to concentrate on adding features, functionality and improving user interfaces to their programs.