IBM and Caldera Team to Boost the Growing Number of Enterprise-Ready Linux Applications

LONDON, UK - Sept. 18, 2001 - IBM announced today a joint UK initiative with Caldera, one of IBM’s key Linux distributors, to promote the benefits of developing, porting and enabling applications on Linux to Independent Software Vendors (ISVs). With over 2,400 enterprise-level applications for Linux currently listed in IBM's Global Solutions Directory - this initiative, the first of many with IBM’s key Linux distributors, is clearly aimed at boosting this figure.

IBM and Caldera will today jointly address an audience of over 150 developers in London at IBM’s Bedfont Lakes location; invited from both Caldera’s and IBM’s ISV strong-hold, to demonstrate the benefits to developers for creating enterprise-level Linux applications in a growing Linux marketplace and broaden their business opportunities.

BENEFITS FOR ISVs:

• By creating applications on Linux developers only have to develop once and port to other platforms.
• Linux is a versatile operating system - developers will have the opportunity to share applications across IBM’s four e-Server platforms - increasing the market opportunity for their applications.
• Possibility for substantial cost savings to developers in supporting one operating system.
• Participating ISVs will be creating applications for the world’s fastest growing operating system - 23.6% growth by 2005 compared to Windows NT growth of 16.5% over the same period. (IDC 2000).
• Potential financial benefits through co-marketing opportunities with IBM Business Partners.

“This joint initiative will give many ISVs an early start on developing enterprise-ready applications that businesses are demanding. Linux has proven its reliability and stability - with more and more enterprise customers coming on board ISVs just can’t afford to lose out on the rewards that Linux can bring,” said Carol Stafford, IBM VP eServer Sales EMEA.

At the event IBM will discuss its Linux support and facilities available to developers at the EMEA Solution Partnership Centres in Hursley (UK), Paris (France), Stuttgart (Germany) and Warsaw (Poland). Here ISVs have access to Linux experts and the opportunity to develop, port and enable their applications using IBM technologies. Developers can also take advantage of Linux education seminars leading to certification and obtain advice on sales tactics and co-marketing solutions. Once an application is certified by IBM’s Global Solutions Directory it will be shared with IBM’s Global Business Partner network called PartnerWorld. At regular intervals IBM will invite ISVs and Business Partners to meet and discuss applications availability at events called Business Partner Connections.

Caldera will take the opportunity to present their business focused Linux strategy, and to inform developers of the industry momentum towards developing to a Linux Standards Base (LSB) environment. This will allow developers to move between Linux environments, without being locked into a specific vendor. Attendees will also learn how Caldera Support and Professional Services can assist developers in porting their applications to the Linux platform, and the benefits of the expanding Caldera Developer Network.

“With IBM’s support and Caldera's experience in Linux based business solutions, this initiative can only be described as a win-win situation for developers,” said Chris Flynn, VP EMEA, Caldera.

For more information on IBM’s developer programmes please visit: www.ibm.com/partnerworld or www.develop.ibm.com.

For more information on Caldera's Developer Network please visit: http://www.caldera.com/partners/developer/. About IBM

IBM is the world's number one server company and information technology provider, with 80 years of leadership in helping businesses innovate. IBM helps customers, business partners and developers in a wide range of industries that leverage the power of the Internet for e-business. For more information, visit http://www.ibm.com

The IBM eServer brand consists of the established IBM e-business logo with the following descriptive term "server" following it. The following are either trademarks or registered of International Business Machines Corporation in the United States or other countries or both: IBM and the IBM e-business logo.

About Caldera International, Inc.

Caldera is a leader in "Unifying UNIX with Linux for Business." Based in Orem, UT, Caldera has representation in 82 countries and has 15,000+ resellers worldwide. For more information on Caldera products and services, visit http://www.caldera.com.

Linux is registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. All others are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.