In brief: Netscape pushes middleware bandwagon

NEWS Netscape is to switch its focus to middleware - which it says will become the crucial enabler of the 'Net economy'. Steven Wastie, Solutions Marketing Manager, says the core product in its strategy - directory software - will be Netscape's top package by the end of the year. "We will make directory software more scalable and more integrated with legacy systems," he said. "Enterprises need a meta-directory of profiles, so they can build up an online trading community." Netscape claims its lightweight directory access protocol (LDAP) is faster and more scalable than directory protocols from Novell and other rivals. LDAP 3.0, which is an implementation of the industry-wide X.500 format, will make its debut in Netscape's Directory Server 4.0, due out before April 1999. Verisign is to provide digital certificates for the server, and Bay Networks, Hewlett-Packard and Security Dynamics will bundle it with their products.