Siemens Business Services today announced it will use SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 8 to underpin its mySAP HR application -- processing payrolls for more than 170,000 employees worldwide -- one of the largest payroll systems in the world.
Siemens Business Services chose SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 8 as the operating system for the new Intel-based Primergy application servers - for its efficiency, performance and easy migration.
"As an application service provider, we always have to offer maximum performance and optimum security at economically attractive prices. For our mySAP HR application, SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 8 was the operating system that best met this requirement," said Michael Gebauer, solution architect in the Application and Hosting Services (AHS) department, Siemens Business Services. "The former RM servers with RISC processors under Reliant Unix are now replaced by Intel-based servers under Linux."
The open source operating system and the platform independence of the SAP R/3 software enable an easy migration to an open, powerful, and efficient Intel architecture. Linux-based application servers can be operated independently alongside existing Unix-based servers. Thus, the RM systems can continue to run until they were amortized and gradually replaced by Linux servers.
Certification
"For us, the certification by prominent hardware and software manufacturers and the availability of the 2.4 kernel was and continues to be decisive," said Gebauer.
In April 2001, SUSE Linux Enterprise Server was the first enterprise Linux platform that was certified for mySAP.com on the x86 architecture for Intel processors. In autumn 2002, SUSE Linux was the first Linux provider to be awarded the status "SAP Global Technology Partner". SUSE enjoys the same exclusive SAP partner status as Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Intel, Oracle, and Sun.
Meanwhile, companies that want to deploy SAP on SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 8 can use the hardware of their choice: Since January 2003, all current Intel-based servers of Dell, Fujitsu Siemens Computers, Hewlett-Packard, Sun and IBM are approved for the deployment of mySAP on SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 8. Companies around the world can utilize the hardware and software combination that best suits their needs and benefit from SAP's installation support.
Close Proximity to SAP
SUSE employees work at the SAP Linux lab on a permanent basis. This close relationship between the software and e-business giant SAP and SUSE is significant for large SAP users.
"The close proximity between SAP, SUSE and us contributed substantially to the smooth migration to SUSE Linux Enterprise Server," Gebauer said. "SUSE is a system that is equally convincing in terms of performance, stability, and costs. We have come to appreciate SUSE as a reliable and competent partner that fully meets our support and maintenance needs."
More information on the deployment of SAP on SUSE Linux Enterprise Server is available at suse.com/partners/alliance/sap.
About Siemens Business Services
Siemens Business Services is an internationally leading IT service provider. This Siemens Group offers services all along the IT service chain from a single source - from consulting to systems integration, right through to the management of IT infrastructures. Thanks to comprehensive know-how and sector-specific expertise, the company provides measurable added value for its customers. With regard to outsourcing and IT maintenance, Siemens Business Services is among the top ten providers worldwide. Sales in fiscal year 2002 (ending 30 September 2002) came to around EUR 5.8 billion, 73 percent of which was achieved outside the Siemens organization. The company currently has approx. 33,600 employees worldwide. Further information can be found at www.siemens.com/sbs
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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