From: Gorkem Cetin (gorkem@bahcesehir.edu.tr)
Date: Tue 04 Nov 2003 - 10:04:03 EST
FYI :
Novell Announces Agreement to Acquire Leading Enterprise Linux Technology
Company SUSE LINUX
Novell's newest Linux acquisition demonstrates its continuing commitment to
the open source model and developer community. Also, IBM has demonstrated
its recognition of Novell's leadership in Linux by making an equity
investment in Novell and will negotiate extensions to a commercial agreement
with Novell/SUSE LINUX to support the IBM eServer line.
Novell today announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire SUSE
LINUX, one of the world's leading enterprise Linux companies, expanding
Novell's ability to provide enterprise-class services and support on the
Linux platform. With the open source expertise of SUSE LINUX and Novell's
world-class networking and identity solutions and support, training and
consulting services, Novell will be able to deliver Linux and all its
components -- from the server to the desktop -- and give organizations a
secure, reliable and mature Linux foundation. Novell will pay $210 million
in cash to complete the acquisition. The transaction is subject to
regulatory approval and the winding up of shareholder agreements. Novell
expects the transaction to close by the end of its first fiscal quarter
(January 2004).
This latest move follows Novell's August purchase of Ximian, a leader in
Linux server and desktop solutions, and further demonstrates Novell's
ongoing commitment to provide customers a full range of Linux solutions.
Both the Ximian and SUSE LINUX acquisitions affirm Novell's commitment to
promoting the open source model and developer community.
Novell today also announced that IBM intends to make a $50 million
investment in Novell convertible preferred stock. In addition, Novell and
IBM are negotiating extensions to the current commercial agreements between
IBM and SUSE LINUX for the continued support of SUSE LINUX on IBM's eServer
products and middleware products, and to provide for product and marketing
support arrangements related to SUSE LINUX. Both of these agreements will be
effective when the acquisition of SUSE LINUX by Novell is completed.
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