Motorola Computer Group Launches Aggressive Linux Strategy
Jeff Hall
Monday August 9, 7:31 am Eastern Time
Company Press Release
Motorola Computer Group Launches Aggressive Linux Strategy
MCG Teams with Lineo and Caldera Systems for Embedded and
High-Availability Linux Solutions
TEMPE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 9, 1999--Motorola Computer Group
(MCG), the world's leading provider of embedded computing technology,
Monday announced a unified Linux strategy that will provide its OEM
customers with a broad selection of Linux-based platforms, open source
software, service and support, training and integration services.
In support of this initiative, MCG is collaborating with Lineo Inc., an
embedded Linux software company, and Caldera Systems, which offers a
full range of ``Linux for Business'' products, services and Linux
educational courses.
In addition, MCG today announced its first Linux-based offerings
developed as a result of this strategy -- the emS Series for
telecommunications, office and industrial networking applications, and
the SLX Series network appliance, aimed at Internet, intranet and
extranet networking applications.
According to Wayne Sennett, MCG corporate vice president and general
manager, the performance and flexibility of Linux and its open source
environment will help speed time to market and help reduce development
costs for MCG's OEM customers.
``We believe that combined with the right hardware and support, Linux is
ready for embedded design-ins and deployments in the markets MCG serves,
including telecommunications, medical imaging and industrial
automation,'' Sennett said.
``With Lineo and Caldera Systems, we plan to take the lead in expanding
the reach of Linux into embedded and high availability markets that
require rugged, reliable and scalable products. As a company focused on
open architecture, we also support real-time, Windows and UNIX software
environments.''
Bryan Sparks, chief executive officer of Lineo Inc. said, ``As a company
with embedded, OEM and Linux experience, we were a natural choice to
work with MCG to deliver the highest quality Linux networking solutions
optimized for embedded computing environments.
``There is a natural synergy between our existing product lines, which
are targeted for the same kinds of embedded applications, such as
industrial automation, imaging and telecommunications. This synergy
enables us to provide our OEM customers with the best embedded computing
products available for the Linux operating system.''
Commenting on the announcement, Ransom Love, chief executive officer of
Caldera Systems said, ``Caldera Systems is enabling the development and
deployment of OpenLinux-based Internet devices and appliances that range
from embedded to high-end servers through the leading world-wide Linux
channel of OEMs, VARs and system integrators.
``These solutions providers require very reliable and robust business
platforms upon which they can deploy business critical applications.
``Combining our business quality desktop and server offerings with
Lineo's Embedix, the exclusive OpenLinux embedded solution, and MCG's
leadership in VME, CompactPCI and high-availability embedded computing,
will provide our OEM, VARs and integrators with the optimal combination
of high-availability hardware and software needed to satisfy the full
range of requirements for these advanced Internet business solutions.''
With a 17 percent share of the server market today, according to analyst
firm IDC Inc., the Linux open operating system is increasingly being
adopted as the platform of choice for many users -- most notably those
building Internet and appliance-class networking applications. According
IDC, Linux server license distribution reached 750,000 in 1998 --
equaling all other UNIX server license distributions combined.
Actual Linux deployments far exceeded the IDC number since a single
Linux license may be used across multiple platforms.
MCG plans to ship system platforms with Caldera Systems' OpenLinux, and
will reference sell Lineo's Embedded Linux Software Development Kit. The
agreement will leverage the complementary strengths of the participating
companies to provide OEM customers with embedded platform solutions
running Linux.
Lineo(TM) Inc.
Lineo Inc. develops, markets and sells embedded operating systems and
applications that provide consumers with simple, low-cost software for
interacting with the Internet via embedded devices.
Lineo owns and develops Embedix(TM) (embedded Linux OS), Embrowser(TM)
(embedded web browser), DR DOSŽ (component-based embedded OS) and other
technologies designed to improve connectivity while reducing system
requirements and per-unit costs.
Contact Lineo Inc. at www.lineo.com, via email ``in...@lineo.com'' or
telephone 801/426-5001. Caldera Inc., the parent company of Lineo Inc.,
was founded by Bryan Sparks in October 1994 as a start-up venture funded
by The Canopy Group -- the family trust of Raymond J. Noorda, former
chairman and chief executive officer of NovellŽ Inc.
Caldera Systems
Caldera Systems Inc. is the Linux for Business technology leader in
designing, developing and marketing Linux-based business solutions
including OpenLinux, NetWare for Linux, Linux technical training,
certification and support. Caldera Systems can be reached at
888/GO-Linux (888/465-4689) or via E-mail at li...@calderasystems.com.
To become an OpenLinux reseller, please visit www.linuxreseller.com. To
access the Caldera Systems Web site, please bookmark
http://www.calderasystems.com. Caldera Systems Inc. is a Canopy Group
holding under the Ray Noorda/Canopy Group Investment Co. Ray Noorda is
the former CEO of Novell Inc. (Nasdaq:NOVL - news)
About Motorola
Motorola Computer Group (MCG), headquartered in Tempe, is the world's
leading supplier of embedded computing platforms to OEMs for use in
telecommunications, imaging and industrial automation applications
worldwide.
MCG provides best-in-class solutions by combining its advanced design
engineering capability with responsive, world-class manufacturing
operations. Additional information about MCG is available on the World
Wide Web at www.mcg.mot.com
MCG is part of Motorola's Integrated Electronics Systems Sector (IESS),
a division of Motorola Inc. (NYSE: MOT - news). IESS is a leading
provider of electronic systems for customers who integrate them into
their products. The five businesses of IESS deliver high value embedded
electronic solutions that enable customers to differentiate their
products and lead their markets.
Motorola is a global leader in providing integrated communications
solutions and embedded electronic solutions. Sales in 1998 were $29.4
billion.
Motorola and the Motorola logo are registered trademarks of Motorola
Inc. Other brand or product names are registered trademarks or
trademarks of their respective holders.
Motorola Computer Group identifies a product and/or division of the
respective Motorola legal identities worldwide.
Caldera Systems Inc. is a registered trademark and OpenLinux is a
trademark of Caldera Inc. LINUX is a registered trademark of Linus
Torvalds.
Matt Templeton
would be making this much progress in the year I have been using it.
Linux, the next wave.