Date: Wed, 19 Jan 2000 09:41:58 -0800 (PST) From: Peigi Cleminshaw <peigi@suse.com> To: press@suse.com Subject: [press] Press Release: SuSE Partners with Minolta for Linux Printing Solutions Minolta-SuSE partnership: Full support for Linux printers Langenhagen/Nuremberg, Germany - 19 January 2000 - Last year's autumn trade fairs brought concrete evidence of a new strategic partnership between Minolta and SuSE, the international Linux distributor: Dedicated SuSE Linux corners at the Minolta stands demonstrating that the new partnership can bring the very practical benefit of printing usability to Linux users. Unique full support for Minolta monochrome printers The aim of Minolta's partnership with Europe's leading Linux distributor, SuSE, is simple: facilitate printer support. The resultant benefits are significant. Linux users can now enjoy high-quality output from the Minolta PagePro 8, 18 and 25 monochrome laser printers. The recently launched Version 6.3 of SuSE Linux features a driver utility that also includes installation support for the PagePro 8, 18 and 25 printers. In practical terms, this means that these Minolta printers will be visible and selectable in the Linux user's windows and functions such as paper trays, mail bins, etc., will also be easily selectable - an important consideration for printers with hundreds of individually customizable configurations. Another practical advantage is that Minolta has just launched an extended version of its network management utility, PageScope, to make life easier for Linux network administrators. Printing usability for Linux: a software solution The Minolta-SuSE partnership means that a key benefit of the Linux operating system - usability - has been extended to include printer output. Linux's usability advantage is naturally dependent on compatible output devices so that documents generated within the system can be printed for external recipients. As a result of the strategic partnership with SuSE, Minolta is now in a position to provide the growing Linux community with the added value of printing usability. Now Minolta is offering a SuSE Linux evaluation CD bundled with the PagePro 18 and 25. Future prospects The software solution developed in conjunction with SuSE is further evidence of Minolta's strategic commitment to a policy of transforming itself from a "mere" supplier of first-class hardware to a digital solutions provider. Minolta intends to intensify its cooperation with SuSE, e.g. in the field of colour laser printers. Minolta printers have served as a "door opener" to the Linux community but, in future, Minolta intends to extend the partnership with SuSE to cover digital copiers, digital cameras and scanners - a significant expansion of the information input and output possibilities for Linux users. The Minolta-SuSE partnership will bring very practical benefits to the Linux community. The benefits Linux brings The three main reasons for the Linux success story are its stability, affordability and usability. Stability is a key advantage, especially in comparison with big-name competitors. A high-performance operating system that can be downloaded from the Internet or purchased as a packet from specialist distributors at minimal cost is obviously an attractive proposition. And when it comes to ease of use, e.g. the absence of complex command sets, the Linux operating system is approaching a level almost comparable with the Windows environment. Linux's usability advantage is, however, dependent on compatible output devices - and this is where Minolta's strategic partnership with SuSE comes in. About Minolta: Founded in 1928 as a camera manufacturer, Minolta Co., Ltd. is one of the world's leading companies for optical products, radiometric instruments and state-of-the-art office systems. As one of the few global IT companies, Minolta offers a comprehensive range of office solutions for imaging and information input, processing and reproduction. In an increasingly digitized world of business communications Minolta is changing its focus from a supplier of hardware to a provider of document-management solutions. About SuSE: SuSE, with a workforce of over 250 people, is the leading international Linux companies. SuSE has offices in Germany, the UK, Czech Republic, the US and Italy. SuSE Linux is used by more than 50,000 business customers worldwide due to its stability and high quality. SuSE offers an extensive range of qualified consulting and support services for using Linux in a business environment, as well as commercial Linux software and complete Linux systems. SuSE contributes extensively to Linux development projects such as the Linux kernel, glibc, XFree86[tm], KDE, ISDN4Linux, ALSA (AdvancedLinux Sound Architecture) and USB (Universal Serial Bus). Get further information about SuSE on http://www.suse.de/en or by sending mail to suse@suse.de. SuSE's US offices are located in Oakland, California, where they offer sales and technical support to customers, distributors, ISVs and resellers. SuSE also offers an ISV Premier Parternship Program featuring co-marketing opportunities with SuSE. For more information, call 510-628-3380 x 5013. Terms and product names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders and are hereby acknowledged. For more detailed information about the Minolta-SuSE partnership contact: Hans-Joachim Metzger International PR-Manager Phone +49-511-7404-212 Fax +49-511-7404-456 Hans-Joachim_Metzger@minoltaeurope.com SuSE GmbH Michaela Geuthner International Marketing Phone +49-911-740 53 196 Fax +49-911-741 77 55 mg@suse.de # # #