Editor: Today, IBM announced in Europe a series of major Linux initiatives that will help customers and ISV's transition their applications to Linux. IBM will invest more than $200 million to create Linux development centers across Europe, develop alliances with Linux-focused business partners, and deploy about 600 specialized Linux consultants, hardware and software specialists, and services… professionals.

The new IBM initiatives and investments, while not directly impacting embedded Linux, represent sone of the largest corporate investments ever in open source software, and can therefore be expected to have a significant positive impact on the proliferation of Linux in all computing environments.

IBM Launches $200 Million Linux Initiative in Europe, Including Major New European Linux Development Centers

Intel Joins Forces with IBM to Help Software Companies Port to Linux; LOGIX to Sell Linux on IBM Systems

Boeblingen, GERMANY — July 21, 2000 — IBM today announced a series of major Linux initiatives aimed at dramatically speeding the ability of customers and key European independent software vendors (ISV's) to transition their applications and systems to an industrial strength Linux operating environment. To accomplish this, IBM will invest more than $200 million in a series of Linux initiatives in Europe over the next four years. These investments will include Linux development centers across Europe, alliances with Linux-focused business partners, along with the rapid deployment of about 600 specialized Linux consultants, hardware and software specialists, and services professionals.

As a key part of this initiative, IBM announced that it has opened a series of European development centers to help ISV's transition their applications to an industrial strength Linux environment. These centers are located in Paris and Montpellier in France; Greenock and Hursley in the UK; Boeblingen in Germany; Warsaw in Poland; and Budapest in Hungary. IBM will provide software and server IT specialists as well as Linux-ready servers, storage systems and middleware, including Websphere, Lotus Domino, and DB2. The centers will support
application development on all IBM servers from IBM Netfinity servers to AS/400, RS/6000 up to IBM S/390 highspeed servers. The centers will be open to all
ISV's, from enterprise application leaders to start-ups working on software for embedded technology in wireless devices.

“As customers and partners recognize the growing importance of Linux as a key e-business operating system, there is tremendous demand for Linux-ready applications that can meet the tremendous workload demands of today's e-business environment,” said Mike Lawrie, General Manager, IBM EMEA. “With these centers and these investments, IBM will dramatically speed up this process and start getting Linux applications on Linux-ready servers into the marketplace aggressively during the second half of 2000.”

Key IT industry partners, such as Intel, are already working with IBM in these development centers in an effort to ensure cross industry applicability of emerging Linux applications.

“Intel fully supports IBM's initiative of working on applications that run on Linux to create the best e-business environment on Intel's platforms. We believe
Linux OS will play an important role in the evolution of e-Business. Intel will implement this work in Intel's own Solution Centers. Intel believes it is important to share the learnings gained on Linux OS and the applications in the various Solution Centers”, said Sharad Gandhi, Director Internet Solutions Group, Intel EMEA.

As an example of Alliances with Linux focused Business Partners, IBM will be working with LOGIX, an established Value Added Distributor of IBM software and hardware, which has secured exclusive distribution rights to Red Hat's Enterprise products in France and Belgium.

“The Linux marketplace is growing rapidly in Europe and LOGIX has established key relationships with RedHat and IBM so that we can offer our customers (ISV and VAR's) complete Enterprise capable Linux solutions including a set of support services” said Laurent Sadoun, CEO of LOGIX.

The Linux community in Europe is also moving to support IBM Linux initiatives. SuSE Linux AG, one of the world's largest developers and distributors of the Linux operating system, is partnering with IBM to bring Linux developments onto the market.

“We are happy to team up with IBM and look forward to contributing our know-how to their efforts.” said Dirk Hohndel, Chief Technology Officer of SuSE . “The growing importance of Linux is in the mission-critical Web and Database server space. Here, scalable systems like IBM S/390 or IBM Netfinity clusters are a key requirement to make Linux run. SuSE will work with IBM to make Linux available on all IBM servers.”

The centers in Europe are the latest initiative in IBM's strategy to embrace and support Linux throughout its portfolio of e-business software, servers and services. IBM is also bringing its resources, both enginering and technology, to the Linux community through a Linux community portal that will enable Linux developers and ISV's to access the systems, software and technical skills of the Centres.

These will include: Linux design capabilities – a range of education offerings, hands on workshops and technical support services aimed at helping the Linux developer to design and code their applications for serious e-business; Linux testing capabilities – a set of offerings which allow them to prove the application works on all IBM platforms; and Linux performance tools – a set of offerings which will allow the Linux developer to drive 'real' workloads against their application giving them benchmark, sizing, reliability and performance metrics.

The Linux test and performance tools will provide remote or onsite access to IBM Software including DB2, WebSphere, Lotus Domino, MQ Series, and IBM Hardware including System 390, RS/6000, NUMA, AS/400 and Netfinity systems. Access is backed up by IBM technical Specialists who can cover all IBM software and middleware. Full details of the programme can be found on the website (www.ibm.com/linuxnet/eu).

LOGIX is an European leader in added value distribution of high-tech and e-business solutions. LOGIX supports its customers, more than 2000 VAR's, ISV, System Integrators, ISP, ASP and Web Agencies. Taking advantage from strong partnerships and high level competencies, LOGIX delivers fully intregated technological solutions. LOGIX is then a leading key player on IBM (Hardware and
Software), LOTUS, TIVOLI, CITRIX, Red Hat Linux, SCO and Oracle offers. Its positioning allows LOGIX to be one of the first european B to B key player in e-business solutions marketplace. In 2000, LOGIX will realize a 120M$ revenue (+60% versus 1999) for 130 people. Web site: www.logix.fr/

Related story:
IBM to unveil Linux plan (Financial Times)

 
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