Linux Services Firm to Provide Training, Support for Linux Products at Leading Japanese Solutions Provider

Linuxcare KK, a leading provider of comprehensive services for Linux, announced an agreement with Otsuka Shokai Co., Ltd., the first customer to receive service directly from Linuxcare KK. Under the terms of the agreement, Linuxcare KK will provide level-three and higher back-line support for Otsuka Shokai's Linux Total Alfa Service team--the service and support organization for the Otsuka Shokai Group--with end-to-end services for their Linux environments, including technical support, professional services, Linux training and product certification. Otsuka Shokai offers a full range of services from product purchasing to maintenance.

As a solution provider, Otsuka Shokai supplies service and support to over 250,000 companies located mainly in the Tokyo metropolitan and Keihanshin areas. With its strong focus on building e-commerce systems for enterprise customers, the company has embraced Linux as a stable, reliable and affordable alternative to Microsoft Windows or UNIX. By teaming with Linuxcare KK, Otsuka Shokai can offer services for their Linux-based systems--from evaluation, purchasing and implementation through ongoing maintenance and support. The agreement is significant because it marks the first time that Linuxcare KK will provide direct service to a customer in Japan. Linuxcare KK shares Otsuka Shokai's philosophy of excellent customer service and its combined expertise will result in first-rate customer experiences with Linux-based business environments. Linuxcare Inc., headquartered in San Francisco, supports all major distributions of Linux, leading open-source software solutions, and Linux-based enterprise database applications on all major hardware platforms. The company hosts www.linuxcare.com, a leading online technical support resource for Linux. Founded in 1998, Linuxcare is recognized as a leader in providing comprehensive customer services for enterprise Linux environments.