Novell: 20 chances to reinvent itself

“Most companies struggle to reinvent themselves, so shackled by
their pasts that they can’t reorient themselves toward the
future.

“Novell, once the king of the software world, is like that. Over
the years it has built up a broad portfolio of software (with
associated revenue streams) in repeated attempts to regain its
glory days. That portfolio now stifles its ability to focus on
other areas with the most promise.

“But Novell’s management may be about to get a lifeline. Twenty
of them, actually.

“According to Thursday’s Wall Street Journal, up to 20 bidders,
most of them private equity firms, are vying for Novell’s
affections. As reported by The New York Times, Novell’s management
has imposed a deadline of this week for bids.

“It may be that Novell’s management didn’t seek this particular
spotlight, but it could prove to be the perfect way for Novell to
shed some of its dead-weight products and become a lean contender
again.”

Complete
Story