Novell, Avnet Launch IBM Open Desktop PC Software for the UK
Press Release
Local IT firms bring the cost benefits and capabilities of Linux and ODF-based Lotus Symphony in OEM Bundle to British businesses
Bracknell, UK— 04 Jun 2008— Novell and Avnet Technology Solutions UK today announced the UK launch of an open desktop software bundle, the IBM Open Collaboration Client Solution (OCCS) with Open Document Format-based Lotus Symphony, powered by SUSE Linux Enterprise from Novell.
Novell and Avnet incorporated IBM's Open Client into desktop computing products through an Original Equipment Manufacturer's (OEM) agreement with three business partners, Conexus, erebor and b a s i cTM, to distribute and deploy Microsoft-free desktop software and personal computers in the UK.
IBM Open Client provides flexibility, choice and a lower cost of ownership for businesses with Open Document Format-based Lotus Symphony document software, secure server managed client Lotus Domino, and rich/thin client options. This software bundle is ideal for those who are looking for a more cost-effective alternative to their current Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Office Sharepoint Server and Microsoft Exchange licenses – http://www.ibm.com/lotus/opencollabclientwithnovell
Matthew Gower, vice president UK & Nordic, Avnet, commented: ‘The bundle of solutions is ideal for our business partners. It is not only about selling software but actually assisting the adoption of new client solutions by utilising the consulting tools provided by IBM. By establishing new channel partnerships and investing in the promotion of the open collaborative client, we have laid the foundations for this new market’.
"Effective desktop management is a challenge for many organisations today," said Steve Harris, senior sales director, open source products, Novell. "Through collaborating with IBM on the open collaboration client bundle, powered by SUSE Linux Enterprise, customers are able to meet that challenge and benefit from improved collaboration, increased end-user productivity, strengthened security, and reduced total cost of ownership."
The IBM open client includes IBM Lotus Symphony for word processing, Lotus Notes for email and collaboration, and Lotus Sametime instant messaging. In addition, IBM Lotus Connections, IBM Lotus Quickr and IBM WebSphere Portal can easily be added bringing social networking, team collaboration and portal capabilities to the Novell SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop. The server components required to support the open collaboration client are also available as one click install solutions and include IBM Lotus Domino and Lotus Sametime servers powered by SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 from Novell.
Business Partner Solutions are also available to run Microsoft .Net applications, migrate from Visual Basic applications and to address horizontal and/or vertical business requirements.
Paul Lynch, client services director at Conexus, a leading systems integrator specialising in IBM and ATG solutions, commented: “Incorporating this solution as part of our offering closely fits with our company strategy in two main ways. Firstly, it helps to lower the cost of our customers' IT infrastructure. Secondly, it helps us offer increasingly collaborative solutions to customers that improve their employees' work-life balance. An added advantage is that collaborative working also reduces environmental impact by minimising unnecessary travel. We support the roll-out of IBM Open Collaboration Client Solution powered by SUSE Linux Enterprise from Novell because it provides customers with a viable desktop alternative that reduce cost of ownership and is fully collaborative.”
John Newcombe, Business Development Director, erebor Limited a leading IT consultancy and IBM Premium Business Partner commented: "This solution will enable erebor to strengthen its offering to its customers, providing a great alternative platform for mission-critical computer systems and giving them a fully supported operating system that not only helps lower costs but reduces complexity and mitigates risk. erebor is very pleased to be involved in this solution; companies are continuously looking for ways to make their workforce more responsive and this collaboration solution gives companies a more efficient way of allowing their employees, partners, suppliers and customers to work together."
Richard Smith, Technical Director at b a s i cTM, a leading IT solution provider, added: “The Open Collaboration Client Solution powered by SUSE Linux Enterprise provides an real alternative to current, proprietary desktop solutions. The combination of IBM and Novell's solution is an exciting technical platform for our line of business applications. All the key applications needed by an information worker, can be nicely self contained within the package. This offering meets the needs of our customers in providing a low cost of ownership for the desktop with the rock-solid reliability of Domino behind the scenes. We are therefore very pleased to be able to offer this solution to our customers.”
About Novell
Novell, Inc. (Nasdaq: NOVL) delivers the best engineered, most interoperable Linux platform and a portfolio of integrated IT management software that helps customers around the world reduce cost, complexity and risk. With our infrastructure software and ecosystem of partnerships, Novell harmoniously integrates mixed IT environments, allowing people and technology to work as one. For more information, visit www.novell.com.
About Avnet
With more than 250 locations serving customers in 73 countries worldwide, Avnet markets, distributes and adds value to the products of the world’s leading electronic component suppliers, enterprise computer manufacturers and embedded subsystem providers. Additionally, Avnet brings a breadth and depth of service capabilities, such as supply-chain optimization, logistics solutions, product assembly, device programming, computer system integration and engineering design assistance. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2007, Avnet generated revenue of $15.68 billion. Visit www.avnet.com
Press Contact
Conor Lynch
Text 100 Public Relations
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Email: conor.lynch@text100.co.uk