Novell and SuSE Provide enterprise Linux support services through cooperative support agreement

• Novell customers will gain full enterprise-level support for their Linux operating systems

SAN FRANCISCO (LinuxWorld Conference & Expo 2003) — Aug. 5, 2003 — Novell and SuSE Linux AG have signed an agreement to ensure that Novell customers running solutions on SuSE Linux receive full enterprise-level support for their Linux deployments. The agreement removes a key question many customers face when deploying open source-based solutions, "Who will help me if something goes wrong?" Customers running Novell® Nterprise™ Linux Services - a comprehensive solution for identity, collaboration, management and other services - on the SuSE Linux platform will enjoy technical support from Novell for not only the Novell services, but for the underlying SuSE Linux distribution as well. Customers now can deploy Novell Linux-based solutions on SuSE in mission-critical environments with confidence they'll have help when they need it.

Despite its rapid growth, Linux still faces resistance in enterprise environments. Surveys consistently show that lack of support remains a key impediment to companies' adoption of Linux. While they like the power and flexibility Linux allows, organizations are reluctant to introduce Linux for core corporate functions because of uncertainty over whom to turn to when they encounter a problem. The agreement between Novell and SuSE helps remove this roadblock to Linux adoption.

"Customers want their technology to just work," said Mike Lyons, vice president, Novell Technical Services. "When it doesn't, they want somebody to be responsible for the problem and to fix it quickly. They don't want vendors to pass the buck back and forth. With an open source product like Linux, there are even greater concerns over who will stand up to help when problems arise. With today's agreement, Novell is saying to our customers, 'The buck stops here. Deploy Novell's Linux solutions on SuSE with confidence, because we'll be here to support you.'"

Novell Nterprise Linux Services, announced in June, includes identity, file, printing, messaging and management services, a virtual office for end-user access, and Web productivity tools, all with a single point of administration. SuSE Linux Enterprise Server is one of the leading commercial deployments of Linux, with significant market share worldwide. The combination of Novell Nterprise Linux Services with SuSE Linux provides one of the more comprehensive Linux-based offerings on the market today, giving customers a host of critical networking and productivity services to help run businesses more efficiently.

"SuSE Linux knows Linux, and Novell understands enterprise networking and information management needs," said Petra Heinrich, vice president, Partner Sales and Service for SuSE Linux AG. "Running Novell services on SuSE Linux Server solutions gives customers the enterprise-class services they need and are accustomed to getting from their strategic technology partners. Now, they also get the other key element of that strategic relationship - strong support. This is one more important step in taking Linux squarely into the center of the enterprise."

About Novell
Novell, Inc. (Nasdaq: NOVL) is a leading provider of information solutions that deliver secure identity management (Novell Nsure™), Web application development (Novell exteNd™) and cross-platform networking services (Novell Nterprise), all supported by strategic consulting and professional services (Novell NgageSM). Novell's vision of one Net - a world without information boundaries - helps customers realize the value of their information securely and economically. For more information, call Novell's Customer Response Center at (888) 321-4CRC (4272) or visit http://www.novell.com/. Press should visit http://www.novell.com/pressroom.

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