Novell Gets J2EE Boost From SilverStream Deal

SilverStream's product portfolio, particularly its J2EE-based application server, will be a linchpin of Novell's transformation into an e-business solutions and platform company, Messman said in an interview last week.

"I think the app server product we're getting from SilverStream is a real winner for [that strategy and the channel," he said.

The $212 million deal is slated to close in mid-July or mid-August, contingent on shareholder approval, Messman said.

Novell's acquisition of a J2EE development platform company comes as little surprise, since the Provo-based software vendor has been working to reinvent itself to compete with Microsoft, IBM and Sun Microsystems in Web services, according to industry analysts.

Yet at least one SilverStream partner said that Novell may not have, or be prepared to court, the type of solution providers necessary for a successful Web services strategy.

"The combination [of Novell and SilverStream actually does make sense based purely on the technology," said Brad Murphy, senior vice president of strategic business development at the Dallas office of Valtech, a Paris-based SilverStream solution provider. But Novell's traditional channel partners aren't "companies on the leading edge of this Web services revolution," he said.

Although Novell's channel has traditionally resold and integrated proprietary technology, "hundreds of hundreds" of Novell partners are working with Java and J2EE as they implement networks that use Novell products, said David Litwack, president and CEO of Billerica, Mass.-based SilverStream.

Litwack is slated to become senior vice president of Novell's Web services unit once the acquisition closes.