Charles Babcock, of ZDWire Interactive Week writes . . .

Breaking new ground, Linuxcare, a Linux support organization, has signed a contract with Motorola Computer Group, a unit of Motorola, to provide support for embedded systems using Linux. The contract is another sign of embedded systems vendors' interest in Linux for communications, Internet appliances, imaging and industrial automation… applications.

Under the contract, the terms of which were not disclosed, Linuxcare will provide Linux expertise to Motorola Computer Group's support and development organization. Motorola Computer Group is a supplier of embedded computer platforms to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). The OEMs take computing devices with Linux loaded on them and customize them
for particular applications, including telecommunications, imaging and factory automation.

In addition, Linuxcare will work with Motorola Computer Group's product engineering and customer support services on product customization and application development. “The Linuxcare University will provide licensed courseware and instructor technical support for the group's training programs,” said Wayne Sennett, Motorola Computer Group's general manager.

Fernand Sarrat, Linuxcare's chief executive, said the contract will push Linuxcare into the marketplace as a provider of technical support “for a global leader in integrated communications and embedded electronic solutions.” In another sense, Motorola Computer Group was merely protecting its parent company's interests. In its second round of financing, Linuxcare announced Dec. 14 that it had received $32.5 million from a group of investors that included Motorola.

(Copyright (c) 1999 ZD Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

 
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