TurboLinux revs up OS with friends

Linux vendors have added several strings to the free operating system (OS) developed by Linus Torvalds, with product announcements, deals with manufacturers and further expansion in Europe.

Linux vendors have added several strings to the free operating system (OS) developed by Linus Torvalds, with product announcements, deals with manufacturers and further expansion in Europe.

TurboLinux, which is based in Japan and has recently moved into the US and China, has followed other Linux vendors, such as Red Hat and Caldera, into Europe. It has now opened offices in the UK and Germany.

The company's offices in Hamburg will be the control centre for its plans in the EMEA region, which should include the establishment of a channel.

Cliff Miller, chief executive of TurboLinux, said: "We plan to build upon our success in the Asian and North American markets to better serve our European enterprise customers. Our global customers have been asking us to provide local education, support, services and sales."

In addition, Linux vendor Red Hat has announced plans to integrate its version of Linux with business applications such as Oracle's 8i database, SAP's R/3 enterprise resource planning (ERP) suite and Computer Associates' Unicenter TNG. Red Hat will also provide 24-hour global support for the multi-vendor offerings.

Dan Kusnetzky, programme director for operating environments at IDC, said: "Our studies show that although Linux is new to the majority of IT managers, they are open to using Linux-based solutions and the strengths Open Source software offers. But they have concerns about applications, tools, middleware and support. These deals have the potential to reduce some of these concerns."

Red Hat also hinted that similar partnerships with vendors in the directory services, ERP and messaging markets will follow.

Dominant Linux players are also under pressure from startups such as Lineo, which announced eight strategic alliances for its embedded Linux OS last week.