Microsoft bites back at Novell

Microsoft has introduced a raft of migration tools designed to persuade Novell's NetWare customers to defect to Windows.

The move, which comes less than a week after Redmond handed over half a billion dollars to Novell for past anti-competitive practices, is designed to tempt NetWare users to move to Windows Server 2003.

Microsoft promised that NetWare customers will be offered online training and unlimited technical support via newsgroups. US customers can also get subsidies on Windows Server 2003 worth up to $15,000.

The scheme also sees Microsoft's partners being brought in to attack Novell's market share. Quest Software is making its NDS Migrator software available to enterprises at a reduced rate so that large companies can plan migrations.

The channel is also being encouraged to move customers onto Microsoft products with subsidies.

Customers have increasingly told Microsoft that they want to migrate from NetWare, but are concerned about "migration issues", according to Martin Taylor, general manager of platform strategy at Microsoft.

"These offerings are designed to help address customers' concerns and assist them in evaluating their options through information, tools and Microsoft partner support, making migration easier and more cost-effective," he said.

The programme will run until 1 May next year.