Caldera's Love in at SCO

Caldera systems, the new owner of Unix vendor SCO, has given mixed messages to the market about plans for SCO's technology and channel.

Caldera systems, the new owner of Unix vendor SCO, has given mixed messages to the market about plans for SCO's technology and channel.

When Computer Reseller News exclusively revealed two weeks ago how Caldera was to acquire SCO, the reaction from SCO's channel was optimistic. Statements from Ransome Love, Caldera's chief executive, about the future of the technology hinted at a strategy that veers away from Open Source computing.

While Love told one audience of Open Source advocates that his policy was to "innovate and put back", the message to analysts was different.

"We don't have to give everything back in a free fashion. Ownership is a key component in ensuring quality," he said.

Last week, Caldera unveiled plans to acquire SCO's server software and professional services division to offer an internet platform that combines Linux and Unix.

SCO's division will operate as a separate concern to provide ebusiness infrastructure services. The company will deliver what Caldera calls its Open Internet Platform, combining Linux and Unix servers and services globally. The plan is to provide customers and developers with a single platform to scale from thin clients to data centres.

A new holding company, Caldera Inc, will acquire the assets of SCO's two divisions, including workforce, products and channel resources. Caldera will have exclusive distribution rights for SCO's OpenServer product line and will support its customer base.

SCO will retain its Tarantella division, the SCO OpenServer revenue stream and intellectual properties. Doug Michels, president of SCO, said: "Now we can invest in the growth opportunities we see for Tarantella."