Dell Joins Microsoft-Novell Linux Pact

Shortly after announcing it will offer Ubuntu Linux on selected systems, Dell agrees to support and promote Microsoft and Novell's SUSE Linux project to enterprises.

Just a few days after revealing the company will soon begin offering Ubuntu Linux as a pre-installed operating system option on selected computers, Dell has signed on to Microsoft and Novell’s SUSE Linux collaboration project. The announcement makes Dell the first major systems vendor to buy into the two companies’ efforts to improve interoperability between Windows operating systems and SUSE Linux Enterprise Server.

“We’re focused on delivering solutions that help simplify customers’ IT operations,” said Dell VP Rick Becker, in a statement. “Our customers have told us they want interoperability and expect technology vendors to work better together. [..] This move is a huge success for the industry and, more specifically, for customers who haven’t purchased Linux through Dell and who want to migrate to SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for the IP assurance and interoperability benefits.”

Under the terms of the agreement, Dell will set up a customer marketing team focused on migrating Linux users who are not currently Dell Linux customers towards using SUSE Linux Enterprise Server. Dell will also purchase SUSE Linux Certificates from Microsoft.

Microsoft and Novell announced their interoperability agreement in November, 2006, in a move to offer organizations, businesses, and enterprises a solution to integrating Windows and Linux in their IT infrastructures. Since the agreement, more than 40,000 three-year priority support subscriptions to SUSE Linux Enterprise Server have been activated; major customers include Wal-Mar, Deutsche Bank, Credit Suisse, and HSBC.