IBM And Novell To Boost Linux With Software Developers

Looking to capitalize on the growing use of Linux, IBM and Novell on Wednesday launched a program to help independent software developers accelerate the development and certification of new applications for use with Novell's SuSE Linux on IBM eServer platforms.

IBM is making available technical resources, tools, and expertise at nine centers in the United States, Europe, and Asia to help developers more quickly complete certification of their hardware and software products, says Todd Chase, program director for IBM's Innovation Centers. "This program is another indication of how serious IBM is about the Linux community," Chase says.

The Innovation Centers are located in Chicago; San Mateo, Calif.; Waltham, Mass.; Hursley, U.K.; Paris; Stuttgart, Germany; Bangalore, India; Shanghai, China; and Sydney, Australia.

As part of the initiative, Novell will provide developers with copies of SuSE Linux Enterprise Server with supporting documentation. Novell also will facilitate on-site registration for its Technology Partner Program to help them certify their applications.

According to research firm IDC, sales of servers using Linux are expected to grow faster than the overall market through at least 2008.