Today, SUSE Linux, the international technology leader and solutions provider in Open Source, and enterprise computing distributor Arrow Electronics Inc. [NYSE: ARW], announced the finalization of a strategic U.S. based sales agreement.
Under the terms of the agreement, Arrow will be one of the key partners in SUSE Linux's new U.S. channel strategy in distributing the SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 8 and SUSE Linux Openexchange Server via value-added resellers (VARs). This distribution agreement will launch immediately within Arrow's IBM-focused Support Net Division and extend into Arrow's HP division, SBM in early 2003.
Developed as a result of both companies' compatibility in their Linux strategies, this partnership enables Arrow's resellers to market the entire SUSE Linux Enterprise Server product line. SUSE and Arrow seek to help resellers extend the strengths of IBM and HP servers and provide excellent performance, reliability and manageability for a wide variety of applications.
"This is a great opportunity for SUSE Linux to be able to directly distribute to the U.S. resellers," said Holger Dyroff, General Manager of Americas, SuSE Linux. "By combining SUSE capacity for IBM's complete line of eServers (xSeries, iSeries, pSeries and zSeries), and HP Proliant and HP Itanium 2-based servers, as well as Arrow's IBM products and integration services, Arrow resellers are able to better service their customers."
For the first time, SUSE Inc., is now offering a reseller and a customer 'Pilot' version of SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 8 for ia32. These versions of SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 8 are provided as a first step to enable resellers and customers who are interested in evaluating SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 8.
"In order to get our resellers up to speed on the SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, we are offering free sales training and Enterprise Server trial packages," said Eric Williams, Executive Vice President, Support Net Division. "In addition, we take a hands-on approach with resellers to provide the necessary tools, education roadmaps, web presence and technical and marketing support to drive their success in the Linux environment."
SUSE Linux and Arrow's Support Net Division will be promoting the offerings to resellers through a series of emails, telemarketing activities, webinars and advertisements. In addition, SUSE and Support Net will be hosting a number of sales training webinars for the resellers in upcoming months to expedite their services.
For more information about SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, please refer to http://www.suse.com/sles/
Please contact Arrow's Support Net Division at (800) 255 3390 for additional information.
About Novell
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