Internet 25: best of class! - 25 companies that provide enterprise-class Internet software are evaluated - includes related articles on corporate Web sites, Mosaic graphical Web browser, making money with start up companies and tribute to panel of evaluators - Company Business and Marketing - Cover Story

Software Magazine, April, 1997 by Colleen Frye

Buckley likes Netscape's innovative products but worries about its ability to execute. "Communicator has a lot of plug-in capabilities oriented toward the professional. They've done a very good job on the server side. But they need Communicator to work to secure the server software, otherwise Microsoft tied to NT will win. So this next release is absolutely critical."

Buckley worries that Netscape's management may be overwhelmed. "They are at maximum bandwidth. And they have not done a good job on the marketing and PR side. They had great momentum and lost that last summer."

One move that could put Netscape on an even footing with Microsoft would be a merger with IBM, a move Buckley and others would like to see.

"The momentum IBM has in the market is really something," says Buckley. "The perfect thing would be for them to buy Netscape. That would allow Netscape to compete on an even playing field with Microsoft. I don't understand why Lou Gerstner and Jim Barksdale haven't gotten together."

McAfee Associates

Santa Clara, CALIF.Nothing wreaks more havoc in the hearts of IS managers than an insidious virus proliferating through the user community. Since 1989 McAfee Associates has been on the frontlines battling these viruses, initially for corporate networks infected typically through a wayward floppy disk, and now for intranets and extranets infected from virtually anywhere users have gone on the Internet. Over time, the Santa Clara, Calif.-based developer has also used acquisitions to expand beyond its anti-virus roots to encom-pass network security and systems management.

While the Internet has opened up more opportunities for unwanted infiltration, it has also opened up a new model of software distribution, which McAfee hopes to leverage. IS organizations clearly want to avoid users downloading infected files. "We believe that in late '97-'98 the Internet will start to emerge as a legitimized platform for distributed computing within the corporate environment," says Bill Larson, chairman, president and CEO.

To help organizations prepare for this, McAfee has expanded its Internet product offerings. In late 1995, the firm introduced WebScan, an anti-virus software utility to prevent Internet users from downloading virus infected files and E-mails. They followed this in the middle of last year with WebShield anti-virus protection for network firewalls and Internet gateways. Other areas the company pioneered in 1996 include WebStor Internet-enabled backup and Personal Vault, an electronic vaulting service that allows users to back-up and restore files over the Web.

Recently, through a partnership with San Jose, Calif.-based BackWeb Technologies, McAfee introduced SecureCast, an electronic software distribution service that utilizes push technology. SecureCast establishes a broadcast channel for delivering the software, virus signature updates, Virus Information Library updates, security advisories and other information.

"We've really continued to push forward the envelope on electronic software distribution," says Larson. "You have to be thinking about, if not already shipping and delivering, products and technologies that leverage the worldwide infrastructure of the Internet, but in a way that's secure. That's the real issue. I think that we've had a real edge with our Internet heritage, but also our security heritage. People trust us."