BT to deploy Novell Directory services

BANGALORE: BT has signed a deal with Novell to deploy Novell Directory Services (NDS) for NT to 90,000 users across UK. The initial contract for 50,000 licenses of NDS will be deployed immediately and will be extended to 90,000 by May 2000.

BT's decision to select NDS as a part of its IT infrastructure was NDS's availability on a variety of networking platforms. "BT's goal is to establish a multi-platform directory-enabled IT infrastructure," said BT infrastructure design manager Chris McGarr.

According to the company press release, organizations using NDS for NT can reduce administration and management costs of a mixed NDS/Windows NT domain environment by 40 per cent and up to an additional 10 per cent if used to consolidate Microsoft Exchange administration.

Novell is working closely with BT to add further value to their directory-based infrastructure. Areas that are being considered include single-sign-on, integrated security services, remote access and directory-enabled e-commerce, the release added.