Date: Tue, 18 Jul 2000 18:14:35 +0200 From: Michaela Geuthner <mg@suse.de> To: lwn@lwn.net Subject: "SuSE Expands Partner Program For ISVs And Resellers, Offering Co-Marketing and Support" ---------------------------------------------------------------- SuSE Expands Partner Program For ISVs And Resellers, Offering Co-Marketing and Support NUREMBERG, GERMANY - July 18th, 2000 - Today SuSE Linux, the international technology leader and solution provider in open source operating system (OS) software, announced it is expanding its Business Partner Program, offering worldwide co-marketing and support programs specifically targeting resellers and ISVs. "Application developers, system integrators, resellers as well as system houses benefit enormously from a partnership with Linux specialists," said Rolf Haberrecker, Director of Channel Marketing, SuSE Linux AG. The program consists of two major areas: - Reseller Programs: At the entry level, the Product Partner Program supports resellers and system houses by providing extensive product information and marketing materials at no charge. When joining the mid-level SuSE Value Partner program, VARs implementing Linux solutions receive additional Linux support in the form of training courses and workshops, installation support, newsletters and a partner Web site. At the premium SuSE Business Partner level, customers additionally receive advanced versions of the various SuSE Linux products, project assistance through SuSE Support, and are eligible for co-marketing activities such as shared exhibition at trade shows. - ISV Partner Programs: The SuSE Software Partner program supports application developers market their solutions on SuSE Linux. The entry level of the two-tiered program provides certification of the member's product by SuSE Linux. The Software Partners also receive access to online forums, beta CDs, events, workshops, and other benefits and discounts. The premium-level program, SuSE Software Business Partner, offers companies the possibility to include their software on the SuSE Linux distribution. Software and application developers receive all of the benefits of both the Business Partner and Software Partner programs as well as SuSE's support value package. "The Business Partner Program ensures that SuSE Linux continues to set the quality standard for Linux and becomes the leading platform in professional environments," commented Dirk Hohndel, CTO of SuSE Linux. "Its stability and flexibility make SuSE Linux an ideal platform for multiple applications in advanced enterprises. With SuSE Linux support, many IT managers have launched a mid-term or long-term Linux migration strategy." About SuSE: Founded in 1992, SuSE is the international technology leader and solution provider in open source operating system (OS) software, setting new standards for quality and ease of use. Its award-winning SuSE Linux 6.3 and the newly released 6.4 include thousands of third party Linux applications supported by extensive professional consulting and support services, excellent documentation, comprehensive hardware support, and an encyclopedic set of Linux tools. Designed for Web and enterprise server environments and efficient as a home and office platform, SuSE's distribution, surrounding features, effective configuration and intelligent design result in the most complete Linux solution available today. SuSE Linux AG, headquartered in Germany is a privately held company focused entirely on supporting the Linux community and Open Source development. With a workforce of over 450 people worldwide, SuSE has offices in Europe, the US, and Latin America. More than 50,000 business customers use SuSE Linux worldwide due to its stability and high quality. SuSE contributes considerably to Linux development projects such as the Linux kernel, glibc, XFree86TM, KDE, ISDN4Linux, ALSA (Advanced Linux Sound Architecture) and USB (Universal Serial Bus). SuSE received the "Show Favorites" award at LinuxWorld Expo 2000 in New York in March 1999 and February 2000. Additional information about SuSE can be found at http://www.suse.de/en/ or http://www.suse.com Contact: Michaela Geuthner International Marketing SuSE GmbH Schanzaeckerstr. 10 D-90443 Nuremberg E-Mail: mg@suse.de T: +49-911-74053-196 F: +49-911-74053-479