IBM Joins Forces with IBM to Help Software Companies Port to Linux; LOGIX to Sell Linux on IBM Systems

IBM has announced a series of major Linux initiatives aimed at dramatically speeding the ability of customers and key European independent software vendors (ISV's) to transition their applications and systems to an industrial strength Linux operating environment. IBM will invest more than $200 million in a series of Linux initiatives in Europe over the next four years. These investments will include Linux development centers across Europe, alliances with Linux-focused business partners, along with the rapid deployment of about 600 specialized Linux consultants, hardware and software specialists, and services professionals. As a key part of this initiative, IBM announced that it has opened a series of European development centers to help ISV's transition their applications to an industrial strength Linux environment.

These centers are located in Paris and Montpellier in France; Greenock and Hursley in the UK; Boeblingen in Germany; Warsaw in Poland; and Budapest in Hungary. IBM will provide software and server IT specialists as well as Linux-ready servers, storage systems and middleware, including Websphere, Lotus Domino, and DB2. The centers will support application development on all IBM servers from IBM Netfinity servers to AS/400, RS/6000 up to IBM S/390 highspeed servers. The centers will be open to all ISV's, from enterprise application leaders to start-ups working on software for embedded technology in wireless devices. IBM is also bringing its resources, both engineering and technology, to the Linux community through a Linux community portal that will enable Linux developers and ISV's to access the systems, software and technical skills of the Centres. These will include: Linux design capabilities - a range of education offerings, hands on workshops and technical support services aimed at helping the Linux developer to design and code their applications for serious e-business; Linux testing capabilities - a set of offerings which allow them to prove the application works on all IBM platforms; and Linux performance tools - a set of offerings which will allow the Linux developer to drive 'real' workloads against their application giving them benchmark, sizing, reliability and performance metrics. Key IT industry partners, such as Intel, are already working with IBM in these development centers in an effort to ensure cross industry applicability of emerging Linux applications.