The Microsoft and Novell interoperability agreement announced in November 2006 has evolved to the point where the two companies have presented the first installment of a joint product-map. The Microsoft and Novell collaboration focuses on four areas of development: "virtualization, Web services for managing physical and virtual servers, directory and identity interoperability, and document format compatibility." Via the Microsoft and Novell specific road map, the duo moves from the promise of interoperability to delivering tangibility to their customers.

As far as virtualization is concerned, Microsoft and Novell revealed that they will make available an offering involving SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10, Microsoft Virtual Server 2005 R2 and Windows Server, code-named "Longhorn."

Joint standards-based solutions are at the core of Microsoft and Novell's efforts to increase web services-based management for mixed Windows Server and SUSE Linux Enterprise Server environments. Standards-based protocols will be at the basis of a boost in the directory and identity interoperability and enhanced access via Novell eDirectory or Microsoft Active Directory.

Additionally, Microsoft and Novell are still pushing for a level of seamless interoperability as far as office productivity applications go. Both companies have pointed to the second half of 2007 as the time period for the delivery of the road map's milestones.

"Microsoft and Novell have come together to deliver compelling new solutions around virtualization, directories, system management and office document formats," said Bob Muglia, senior vice president of the Servers and Tools Business at Microsoft. "We're working on reducing costs and improving flexibility in the data center so customers can focus on managing their businesses, not their IT systems."