Fujitsu Siemens Computers, Siemens Business Services and Siemens IT Service Partner with SuSE to Provide Enterprise-Strength Solutions for Linux Customers - Company Business and Marketing

Edge: Work-Group Computing Report, April 3, 2000

27Fujitsu Siemens Computers, Siemens Business Services (SBS) and Siemens IT Service (ITS) have extended their Linux offering by signing a Memorandum of Understanding with SuSE Linux AG.

The agreement is part of a major drive to bring the benefits of Linux as an Enterprise IT platform, and combines the strengths of all four organizations to provide European organizations with a powerful partner for all their Enterprise Linux requirements.

The new partnership integrates the expertise and global commitment of the companies to deliver comprehensive Linux system solutions. Working with Fujitsu Siemens Computers, SBS, ITS and SuSE, customers can now opt for a Linux-based system from a reliable, competent support partner that supports the quality and development of a Linux systems implementation throughout its lifecycle.

Nuremberg-based SuSE Linux AG enhances the development potential of SuSE Labs with its Professional Services operation, which offers an effective support organization and direct contact with developers. Fujitsu Siemens Computers brings extensive IT expertise, backed by the business implementation capabilities of SBS and the Europe-wide support strength of ITS which guarantees rapid response times for Linux customers.

"With this new service offering, we are bringing together global service capacity and many years experience in hardware and corporate consulting from the Siemens side, and SuSE's wide-ranging expertise with Linux and Open Source Software," commented Roland Dyroff, CEO of SuSE Linux AG. "Customers will thus be enjoying the full efficiency of both companies, and will profit from the combined competence of the two firms."

"This co-operation deal is an important step towards guaranteeing 24 x 7 Linux support for our customers," added Dr. Joseph Reger, vice president for Strategic Marketing at Fujitsu Siemens Computers. "Over the last two years, Linux has been the subject of an enormous amount of technical development within Fujitsu Siemens Computers. We have supported this process through both our own product development, such as Networker for backup purposes, and our high availability Reliant Monitoring Software, and through our Open Source contributions -- such as the development of an extension which allows the use of up to four GB of memory on Intel-based servers."

The co-operation with SuSE covers the certification and marketing of Fujitsu Siemens Computers platforms with SuSE Linux for all Intel-based systems, including PRIMERGY servers and Celsius workstations. The agreement extends across training and continuing education, and the provision of Linux know-how and support services for the Siemens Groups: Fujitsu Siemens Computers, ITS and SBS.

Siemens AG is one of the world's largest providers of complete solutions in the field of corporate IT and communications infrastructures. The Linux strategy of global players such as Siemens calls for a Linux distribution that is properly localized, available in many languages and backed by comprehensive support facilities. SuSE Linux is developing and maintaining an international presence and high-quality Linux distribution in the marketplace, available on a large number of hardware platforms.

Fujitsu Siemens Computers was formed through a joint venture between Fujitsu Computers (Europe) Limited and Siemens Computer Systems, and commenced operations on 1 October 1999. The company is jointly owned by Fujitsu Limited and Siemens AG, and has its headquarters in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

With extensive European manufacturing facilities, customer-focused companies in 25 European countries, and more than 7,200 experienced employees, Fujitsu Siemens Computers is aiming to be the number one computer company in its home market, Europe, by the year 2001.

Fujitsu Siemens Computers provides the world's most complete portfolio of best-in-the-class IT products. From the smallest notebooks to the most powerful data center solutions, its world-leading technology creates solutions to business problems and enhances individual's lifestyle. Developed and manufactured in Europe for Europe, the product portfolio benefits from the technologies and worldwide sourcing networks of the parent companies.

In addition to an enviable customer base which includes most of the top 1,000 largest enterprises in the Europe, the company's assets include: relationships with more than 2,000 of the leading VARs, distributors and retailers with over 100,000 outlets serving millions of customers; a sales organization with more than 2,500 sales professionals; and the combined strengths of the parent companies with a global network of service and integration partners as well as more than 80,000 specialists dedicated to the product portfolio.

Fujitsu Siemens Computers is the new IT force in Europe. Home page: www.fujitsu-siemens.com

SBS is among the world's leading providers of electronic business solutions and services in the area of information and communication. With its comprehensive IT expertise and specific sector knowledge, SBS offers solutions and services from a single source, ranging from consulting through system integration to management of complete business processes for users.