Microsoft, Novell Forge An Alliance

Microsoft Corp. and Novell Inc., the two largest makers of personal computer software, said Wednesday they would work together to provide better support for businesses that use products from both firms.

The agreement means the two companies will jointly write documents for running their products on networked computer systems and co-sponsor forums and training sessions for customer technicians.

In addition, the two companies said they had created a more efficient way to help a company fix problems. They said it will not change the way customers approach them for help or cost more.

For example, if a insurance company’s computer system fails at night, one of its technicians may call Novell for help. But, if the Novell and insurance company technicians determine the problem is in Microsoft software, Novell’s technician can bring a counterpart at Microsoft in to solve the problem.

Previously, the insurance company technician would have to call Microsoft separately, making it difficult for the three parties to hammer things out.