CA throws bundles at VARs

Channel-specific software bundle agreed in deal with Novell

Computer Associates (CA) has unveiled a channel-specific software bundle in an agreement with Novell, and today launches a new version of its BrightStor Enterprise back-up software.

The software vendor, which also released its results recently, has partnered with Novell to offer SME resellers a tailored software bundle for their use in-house. When a reseller gets a copy of ArcServe 9.0 it will now come bundled with a copy of NetWare 6.

"We know there are a lot of customers out there who have been asking about NetWare again. This will give resellers the opportunity to get back into it" said David Liff, vice president of storage EMEA at CA.

Liff added that CA had been working with Novell for some time, and built its very first ArcServe storage software on the Novell platform.

"We have a very deep and meaningful technology relationship with Novell," he said.

Both firms have trained sales and technical staff on the products, so resellers can ask either company for support, he added.

Jason Rabbetts, commercial director at storage Var Source Consulting, said bundling software for reseller use in-house was quite common.

But he added: "I have always been an advocate of getting your sales people to use the technology they are trying to sell; it's a good tactic.

"But sales on this will depend on customer demand for Novell, and I'm not convinced people are marching back to Novell en masse."

Today the vendor also releases a new version of its BrightStor Enterprise back-up software: version 10.5. It is aimed at Unix and Windows-based servers in the data centre arena.

According to Liff, the product has higher levels of media managing and vaulting, faster disaster recovery and a clearer user interface.

Liff added that CA has attempted to make this version much easier to deploy. "This year we are hoping that 90 per cent of the services around this product will come from the channel; eventually we want this to be 100 per cent.

"We see our competence as delivering the software, not doing the services. That is what the channel is for," he said.

Rabbetts agreed. "This is a channel-friendly stance from CA and quite refreshing. It may give the vendor an edge over Veritas, which has a services business of its own that can compete with its Vars," he said.