Novell overtakes Outlook in Benetton F1 pit change

Formula 1 team Benetton has replaced Microsoft Outlook with Novell GroupWise.

The company - which has over 200 staff - has been using Outlook for the past three years. But Debbie Edwards, who was recently promoted to IS director, believes the Novell offering will provide enhanced services for remote users - a crucial feature given the itinerant nature of Formula 1.

Edwards said: "GroupWise offers very good remote access for users - allowing them to create features in the office that can be accessed from a browser anywhere in the world."

She added that staff working away from the company's HQ need to access and alter management schedules and calendars. She insisted the high level of service expected can be achieved with GroupWise.

Edwards hopes that the new system will also achieve greater sophistication for workgroups which are dealing with suppliers and partners.

Chris Neal, systems engineering manager at Novell and the Benetton project manager, said: "The move is down to the usual reasons - lower cost of ownership, making life easier for the administrator and better user interfaces."

Microsoft was unavailable for comment.