iChain is a core platform built on Novell's eDirectory that provides businesses with various components allowing them to manage common B2B functions such as access and policy controls, supply chain management, and end-user personalization features. In addition, iChain supports the creation and management of Web-based communities and the ability to integrate multiple E-Commerce applications through support for LDAP and DirXML. In short, iChain provides a platform allowing the E-business to manage relationships between suppliers, customers, and partners and the applications that are shared between them.

Some of the core features and components of iChain include:

eDirectory 8.5, providing Extranet Access Management (role based access to data and applications for both employees and customers) and Directory Commerce Services (DirCommerce) allowing companies to add fee-based goods and services into the directory, thereby extending the access (and method of control) that directory users have to those services. Additional directory based tools assist the company in the billing and reporting of those services.

iChain Authentication Server provides all users with a single access point capable of verifying user identities through passwords, smart cards, or certificates, among other methods.

iChain Internet Caching Server, available beginning with version 1.5 of iChain, speeds the delivery of content to end users.

iChain Community Services provides for the creation of customized portal-based user communities.

New features expected in version 2.0 of iChain include an XML-Based Form Fill feature allowing for single sign-on capabilities even for disparate Web-based applications; optional support for token-based authentications; and the ability to link and load balance "a virtually unlimited number" of iChain servers, offering increased scalability for large implementations.

iChain 1.5 is now available; version 2.0 is expected to be available in Q3/2001. Contact Novell for current pricing.