Novell Inc., a major supplier of computer networking software based in Provo, and Unix System Laboratories Inc. have formed a company to develop networking software for the Unix operating system.
The two companies said they are contributing $30 million in cash and other assets to the joint venture, called Univel, which will be 55 percent owned by Novell and will be based in San Jose. Its products are expected to be out next year.Univel will develop software that will allow users of the Unix operating system to more easily link their computers.
Operating systems are the base layer of software that controls a computer's internal functions. They work in conjunction with applications programs, which provide specific uses such as word processing.
Unix comes in a number of versions. Unix System Labs makes the most popular one, and the Novell product will work only with Unix Systems Labs' version.
Novell already makes a version of its Netware networking software for Unix-based computers, but the product that Univel will develop will work better and be easier to use, the companies said.
Univel will have access to the technology and marketing resources of Novell and Unix System Labs, which is majority owned by American Telephone & Telegraph Co. Novell is the largest outside investor in Unix System Labs. Unix was invented by AT&T.
The venture is the second this week for Novell, which announced an agreement to make networking software for Hewlett-Packard Co.'s workstation computers.
Andy Reinhardt, editor of the industry publication Byteweek, said he believed Novell is worried about the long-term viability of Netware, which is used principally on personal computers.
Microsoft Corp. is developing a version of its Windows software that will contain a built-in networking feature, eliminating the need for Netware to hook personal computers in networks, Reinhardt said.