Novell Inc officials are beginning to approach major independent software vendors proposing that they exert pressure on vendors of rival Unix brands to unify behind UnixWare with NetWare hooks. Apparently the Novell people stopped short of suggesting that the independent software vendors withdraw their support for alternate forms of Unix, but it is believed that Novell may urge large end users to do the same thing. Independent software vendors reported that Novell – which left little doubt that it was actually interested in increasing NetWare sales – did not make a strong case for joining the Unix unification crusade. It did not explain what was in it for the software vendors, suggest how they could proceed or show a willingness to make a serious marketing investment. The proposal did raise a series of new concerns for the independent software vendors however, who must now wrestle with the spectre of another potential Microsoft Corp in the making, as well as the effects of increased Unix commoditisation, competition and further fragmentation. All are possible ramifications of such Novell policies on their businesses. Novell’s rapid absorption of Univel Inc and Unix System Laboratories, something it consistently denied it would do during the six months it took to finalise the deal, has left interested third parties concerned about just what the future holds.
