King of Prussia, PA — (company press release) — Neoware Systems, Inc. today introduced the NeoLinux operating system, calling it “the first embedded Linux distribution designed specifically for business-to-business (B2B) information appliances.”

According to Michael Kantrowitz, president and CEO, Neoware Systems, “NeoLinux targets the emerging 'Appliance Computing' market, which consists… of a whole new class of easy-to-use, intelligent, net-connected devices.” Typical applications for NeoLinux will be information appliances such as cash registers, firewalls, routers, interactive web kiosks, thin clients, security devices, and wireless appliances.

“Red Hat is pleased to partner with Neoware to bring the benefits of Official Red Hat Linux to the embedded market,” stated Larry Weidman, Director of eCommerce for Red Hat, Inc. “Linux is an excellent solution for B2B information appliances. Neoware's NeoLinux provides binary compatibility with Red Hat Linux, plus unique capabilities that are critical to the embedded market.”

NeoLinux includes the following Neoware-provided features:

• Neoware ezCompress — reduces the size of the Linux operating system so that it can be installed on small, inexpensive devices without a hard drive
  
• Neoware ezOff — allows people who utilize NeoLinux-powered devices to simply turn them off without going through the “shut down” process required by a desktop operating system
  
• Neoware ezSecure — which makes the Linux operating system “read only,” providing a greater level of security than a desktop Linux distribution – a critical feature for embedded applications.
  
• Neoware ezManage — a unique remote management capability that allows information appliances to be remotely managed, configured and updated across a local or wide area network. Neoware ezManage allows NeoLinux powered appliances to be managed as groups, simplifying administration significantly in environments with hundreds or thousands of information appliances.

NeoLinux is designed to operate on Intel X86 or compatible hardware platforms, including Neoware's new “Eon — The Anything Box” information appliance. NeoLinux can operate on standard personal computers, providing a new level of security and manageability to the PC platform. Additionally, NeoLinux can power existing embedded devices such as cash registers, allowing Neoware's customers to utilize their existing hardware.

Because it is based on standard Red Hat Linux, NeoLinux includes the ability to run local Linux applications, which can be embedded with the operating system for a variety of vertical markets. In addition, NeoLinux provides access to Windows 2000 and NT servers across a network via the Citrix ICA protocol, allowing Neoware customers to access the wealth of applications for the Windows platform. The Netscape Navigator web browser and a Java virtual machine are provided for Internet applications.

“Linux has proven itself as a stable, scalable operating system,” stated Bill Claybrook Research Director of The Aberdeen Group. “We predict that Linux will also be a strong contender in the embedded market.”

“Neoware is building on more than ten years of embedded UNIX experience to provide an embedded Linux distribution that is simple, secure, and can be customized to operate in virtually any environment. The market opportunity for embedded devices is significant, and Neoware intends to partner with other companies to establish a leadership position,” commented Kantrowitz.

About Neoware

Neoware designs, develops and markets information appliances based upon embedded versions of the Linux and Windows operating systems. Neoware's products are designed to run local applications for specific vertical markets, plus allow access to Linux servers, the Internet and Windows-based applications running on multi-user Windows servers. Neoware's information appliances are designed as an alternative to general-purpose personal computers, offering easier installation, as well as lower up-front and administrative costs.

 
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