Linux: IBM Launches Biggest Linux Lineup Ever - Company Business and Marketing

Edge: Work-Group Computing Report, March 8, 1999

At LinuxWorld today, IBM announced support for Linux, the open-source operating system. The announcement, of planned key alliances, flagship products, and the industry's most comprehensive service offering, makes IBM the only company to provide complete solutions of hardware, software and technical support for Linux.

The news includes: * IBM will support major versions of Linux globally, giving customers a single point of contact for all of their technical support needs;

* IBM will work with four commercial distributors of Linux -- Caldera Systems Inc., Pacific HiTech Inc., Red Hat Software Inc., and SuSE Holding AG -- to pave the way for co-marketing, development, training and support initiatives that will help customers deploy Linux;

* Key IBM WebSphere products will ship later this year, including two application servers and a performance pack, enabling Linux customers to exploit the Web to perform tasks ranging from simple Web publishing to Java-based transactional processing;

* Availability of the industry's first commercial, Java-based emulator for Linux -- IBM Host On-Demand -- which provides secure access to core enterprise data and applications via a Web browser;

* IBM will begin beta testing, in the second quarter, its On-Demand Server for Linux, which manages access to e-business applications by users, groups, and devices; and

* IBM is working with the Linux community to port Linux to selected IBM RS/6000 models.

According to IDC Research, Linux is the fastest-growing server operating environment. In 1998, some 750,000 Linux servers were installed, reflecting a 212 percent growth rate and 17 percent of all new server placements.

"There are more than 10 million users running Linux software and many of our customers are asking for Linux solutions," said Steve Mills, general manager, IBM Software Solutions. "We want to give our business partners and customers peace of mind and confidence that if they want to use Linux, IBM will be there to support them, as we do with their other systems."

Tuesday's announcement comes on the heels of other IBM news regarding Linux, including: * Plans to make Red Hat Linux available for IBM server and client systems, such as IBM Netfinity servers, Intellistations, and ThinkPads;

* Beta testing of a Linux version of IBM's award-winning DB2 Universal Database, which will be generally available in the second quarter;

* Plans for Lotus Domino to support Linux. Domino, the leading messaging and collaboration server, and WebSphere represent the industry's most complete range of Web application server environments; and

* Delivery of the AFS enterprise file system for Linux, from IBM's Transarc subsidiary.

IBM provides the widest range of hardware and software solutions for all types of computing platforms. Linux users can draw on IBM's extensive experience, skills and resources to address their technical needs, including support for the operating system. Depending on customer needs, IBM will offer 24-hour-a-day voice support, ranging from answering usage questions to in-depth problem determination. Support will be worldwide, with availability initially in the U.S. in the second quarter, and in other countries later in the year.

IBM will collaborate with leading commercial Linux distributors to optimize the performance of IBM offerings running on various Linux versions, enabling customers to exploit the full potential of Linux. Planned cooperation includes porting IBM products to Linux; education and training; and selected product development and marketing projects. In addition, IBM will supplement its

technical support for various Linux packages with help from distributors, when needed.

IBM is the world's largest information technology company, with 80 years of leadership in helping businesses innovate. IBM creates, develops and manufactures the industry's most advanced information technologies, including computer systems, software, networking systems, storage devices, and microelectronics. The fastest way to get more information about IBM is through the IBM home page at http://www.ibm.com.