Novell and IBM Expand Cooperation on Linux with Leading Business Partners

September 13, 2004


Building on their existing cooperation in promoting Linux partner success, Novell and IBM today expanded to Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) their initiative to extend to their top Linux channel partners key benefits of each other's partner programmes.

BARCELONA, Spain (BrainShare® Europe 2004)

Building on their existing cooperation in promoting Linux partner success, Novell and IBM today expanded to Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) their initiative to extend to their top Linux channel partners key benefits of each other's partner programmes. Under this new agreement, EMEA business and ISV partners in IBM's Leaders for Linux initiative can join Novell's PartnerNet programme free of charge, while Novell's top level parters can become members in IBM's Leaders for Linux Initiative. The combination of the Leaders for Linux and PartnerNet programmes now delivers in EMEA the most comprehensive Linux business partner programme in the industry.

"Our clients are looking for complete solutions covering servers optimised for Linux, software as well as installation, customisation and support services" stated Henrik Schlegel, Vice President Sales, Business Partners, EMEA for IBM. "IBM welcomes Novell's EMEA platinum level Business Partners to the Leaders for Linux Initiative so that, together, we can deliver the complete solutions which customers are today demanding. Novell has one of the most established and comprehensive global partner programmes in the industry. Coupled with its leadership position in the development and support of the Linux platform, this makes Novell an ideal partner for IBM."

Platinum level solution providers in Novell's PartnerNet programme can gain direct access to IBM's Leaders for Linux initiative benefits. These include a fully funded telemarketing campaign for demand generation, as well as sales, marketing and enablement assistance, and access to the broader enablement and marketing support assets provided by IBM's PartnerWorld programme. Novell PartnerNet members also gain a 12 month grace period to qualify for Advanced level membership in IBM's PartnerWorld programme.

IBM Linux for Leaders partners joining Novell's PartnerNet programme enjoy a series of benefits, including training for sales and technical staff, a Linux workshop to help define Linux sales strategy and identify key business opportunities, and access to Novell's software for training and demonstration purposes.

"With Novell's world-class technical and developer support, account management, training, tools. and effective margin-building programmes, IBM Leaders for Linux who join Novell's PartnerNet programme will immediately benefit from a ready-made partner ecosystem that can help them drive new business," said Ladd Timpson, worldwide director of channel marketing for Novell. "This initiative with IBM will expand the global market for Linux and provide enterprise-class support to partners and their customers."

"By working with IBM, Novell is now offering Leaders for Linux members in EMEA the tools they need to provide complete solutions to their customers," said Petra Heinrich, vice president of partner sales and services for Novell EMEA. "This initiative provides the largest breadth of benefits available today for Linux partners, and puts Novell and IBM in a leadership role with the Linux-focused channel."

For more information on Novell's partner programme, go to http://www.novell.com/ibmleadersforlinux. Additional information on IBM's Leaders for Linux Initiative can be found at http://www.ibm.com/partnerworld/linux.

About IBM

IBM is the world's largest information technology company, with 80 years of leadership in helping businesses innovate. Drawing on resources from across IBM and key Business Partners, IBM offers a wide range of services, solutions and technologies that enable customers, large and small, to take full advantage of the new era of e-business. For more information about IBM, visit www.ibm.com.

Additional information on IBM's Leaders for Linux program can be found at http://www.ibm.com/partnerworld/linux.

About Novell
Novell, Inc. is a leading provider of information solutions that deliver secure identity management (Novell® Nsure™), Web application development (Novell exteNd™) and cross-platform networking services (Novell Nterprise™), all supported by strategic consulting and professional services (Novell NgageSM). Active in the open source community with its Ximian and SUSE Linux brands, Novell is firmly committed to open source and offers comprehensive Linux products and services for the enterprise, from the desktop to the server. Novell's vision of one Net - a world without information boundaries - helps customers realize the value of their information securely and economically. For more information, call Novell's Customer Response Center at (888) 321-4CRC (4272) or visit http://www.novell.com. Press should visit http://www.novell.com/pressroom.

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