SuSE Linux and Arrow Electronics Announce Distribution Agreement

Business Wire, Nov 20, 2002

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

OAKLAND, Calif. & ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 20, 2002

SuSE's New Distribution Method Part of A New Channel Strategy

For the U.S. Market To Distribute SuSE Enterprise Server 8

Today, SuSE Linux, the international technology leader and solutions provider in Open Source, and enterprise computing distributor Arrow Electronics Inc. (NYSE: ARW), announced the finalization of a strategic U.S. based sales agreement.

Under the terms of the agreement, Arrow will be one of the key partners in SuSE Linux's new U.S. channel strategy in distributing the SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 8 and SuSE Linux Openexchange Server via value-added resellers (VARs). This distribution agreement will launch immediately within Arrow's IBM-focused Support Net Division and extend into Arrow's HP division, SBM, in early 2003.

Developed as a result of both companies' compatibility in their Linux strategies, this partnership enables Arrow's resellers to market the entire SuSE Linux Enterprise Server product line. SuSE and Arrow seek to help resellers extend the strengths of IBM and HP servers and provide excellent performance, reliability and manageability for a wide variety of applications.

"This is a great opportunity for SuSE Linux to be able to directly distribute to the U.S. resellers," said Holger Dyroff, General Manager of Americas, SuSE Linux. "By combining SuSE's capacity for IBM's complete line of eServers (xSeries, iSeries, pSeries and zSeries), and HP Proliant and HP Itanium 2-based servers, as well as Arrow's IBM products and integration services, Arrow resellers are able to better service their customers."

For the first time, SuSE Inc., is now offering a reseller and a customer 'Pilot' version of SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 8 for ia32. These versions of SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 8 are provided as a first step to enable resellers and customers who are interested in evaluating SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 8.

"In order to get our resellers up to speed on the SuSE Linux Enterprise Server, we are offering free sales training and Enterprise Server trial packages," said Eric Williams, Executive Vice President, Support Net Division. "In addition, we take a hands-on approach with resellers to provide the necessary tools, education roadmaps, web presence and technical and marketing support to drive their success in the Linux environment."

SuSE Linux and Arrow's Support Net Division will be promoting the offerings to resellers through a series of emails, telemarketing activities, webinars and advertisements. In addition, SuSE and Support Net will be hosting a number of sales training webinars for the resellers in upcoming months to expedite their services.

For more information about SuSE Linux Enterprise Server, please refer to http://www.suse.com/sles/

Please contact Arrow's Support Net Division at (800) 255 3390 for additional information.

About SuSE Linux

SuSE Linux is the international technology leader and solutions provider in Open Source operating system software. SuSE's unique expertise in Linux and its largest development team worldwide dedicated to Open Source software has contributed to the recognition of SuSE as the most complete Linux solution available today. SuSE Linux is a privately held company focused entirely on supporting the Linux community and Open Source development. For more information, please visit www.suse.com. SuSE is a registered trademark of SuSE Linux AG. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. All other trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners.

About the North American Computer Products group of Arrow Electronics

The North American Computer Products group of Arrow Electronics, Inc. (NYSE:ARW) is a leading distributor of enterprise and embedded computing systems to reseller and OEM customers in North America. Based in Englewood, Colo., the group is comprised of four divisions that make up Enterprise Computing Solutions (Support Net, SBM, MOCA, Enterprise Storage Solutions) and the Arrow/Wyle Division, which serves industrial OEM customers. Visit us at www.arrownacp.com. Arrow Electronics is one of the world's largest distributors of electronic components and computer products and a leading provider of services to the electronics industry.