"SUSE Linux Office Desktop" enables the continued utilization of Microsoft
Office applications, "SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop" to be released in the
first quarter of 2003
Oakland, CALIFORNIA 10/29/2002 Today, SUSE Linux, the
international Open Source technology leader and solutions provider,
announced a multi-stage product campaign for the corporate desktop
deployment of SUSE Linux. Starting January 2003, small and medium-scale
enterprises will be able to migrate to Linux on desktops using the "SuSE
Linux Office Desktop". "SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop", a Linux version
optimized for desktop deployment in large-scale enterprises, is expected
to be released in the first quarter of 2003.
Even Microsoft CEO, Steve Ballmer can no longer deny that Linux has
established a place in the server room of enterprises. The rising cost
pressures and increasing demand for more independence from manufacturers
prompts a growing number of enterprises to consider alternatives for
company desktops.
"In numerous desktop projects during the past years, we gained insight
into the various needs of enterprises," explains Petra Heinrich, VP
Qualified User at SUSE Linux. "The clear increase in the customer demand
for corporate Linux desktop solutions has confirmed our conviction that
the time has come to carry the accumulated experience to the market in the
form of desktop products tuned to the needs of our target groups."
Products for SME, Large-Scale Industry and Public Administration
The first element of SUSE product campaign for the utilization of Linux
on workstations will be available January 2003. Using SUSE Linux Office
Desktop, small companies as well as private users without any previous
Linux experience, will be able to utilize the stability and security of
Linux on the desktop. In addition, SUSE Linux Office desktop will allow
users to continue the processing of existing data with accustomed
applications such as Microsoft Office.
For the first quarter of 2003, SUSE Linux projects the release of SuSE
Linux Enterprise Desktop. With a focus on easy central administration,
this Linux version will be optimized for deployment in large-scale
enterprises, public administrations and companies with multiple locations.
Already in use for more than one year is a corresponding SmartClient
installation at Debeka, a German insurance and financial services group,
with over 3000 PC workstations in more than 230 locations. Currently, SuSE
migrates another German insurance company, Stuttgarter Lebensversicherung,
with up to 1000 desktops to Linux.
SUSE Linux Office Desktop - Tailored for Windows Migrators
SUSE Linux Office Desktop combines the technology and user-friendliness of
SUSE Linux 8.1 with proven tools that facilitate the migration from
Windows operating systems and applications. During the installation,
SUSEsystem assistant YaST2 (Yet another Setup Tool) automatically
detects the existing Windows 95/98/ME installation and submits a suitable
proposal for the rearrangement of existing hardware space and the Linux
software to be installed. Due to the partitioning tool Acronis OS
Selector, the migration to Linux performs smoothly, even with a
preinstalled Windows XP/2000.
"Thanks to our partnership with SUSE we are very pleased to offer the
unique partition technology in our OS Selector software to all SUSE Linux
users," said Maxim Tsypliaev, President of Acronis. "Our commitment to the
Linux community as a whole, and specifically to SUSE Linux users, is
demonstrated in the fact that we are the only system software publisher
today who offers full support for all Linux file systems, including
ReiserFS, Ext2, and Ext3."
Microsoft Office or StarOffice - Users Have the Choice
SUSE Linux Office Desktop seamlessly enables the continued use of existing
data. StarOffice 6.0 by Sun Microsystems offers text processing,
spreadsheet, and presentation applications in Linux, combined with mature
filter functions for data exchange. In addition, StarOffice Base provides
a powerful database. Codeweaver CrossOver Office 1.2 allows the
utilization of accustomed applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel,
PowerPoint, and Visio 2000 on the SUSE desktop. For the first time, IBM
Lotus Notes can be used from a Linux client. Both KDE 3.0.3 and GNOME 2.0
are available as graphical desktop environments. With the functionality
and appearance of the mail client Evolution, users will not miss Microsoft
Outlook. SUSE Linux Office Desktop provides all tools needed for office
clients in a small or medium scale network.
Price and Availability
The new SUSE Linux Office Desktop will be available from SUSE Linux
resellers from January 2003. The recommended retail price for one
workstation is $ 129.00 and includes detailed documentation as well as 90
days of installation support.
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.
Novell is a registered trademarks; Nsure, exteNd and Nteprise are trademarks; and Ngage is a service mark of Novell, Inc. in the United States and other countries. SUSE is a registered trademark of SUSE Linux AG. * All third-party trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Press Contact:
Jasmin Ul-Haque
Novell, Inc
Phone: +44 (0)1344 326-900
E-mail: juh@novell.com
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