IBM and Red Hat Expand Relationship to Help Customers Accelerate Linux Adoption

Companies Focus on Delivering Joint Linux Solutions for the Mainframe


ARMONK, NY -- May 10, 2005 -- IBM and Red Hat announce today an extended relationship to make it easier for customers around the globe to accelerate their Linux adoption on the IBM eServer zSeries mainframe.

zSeries mainframe customers can order a solution that includes IBM’s Integrated Facility for Linux engine (IFL) and a subscription of Red Hat Linux Enterprise v.4 for zSeries systems. IBM and Red Hat are also extending their co-marketing efforts on Red Hat Linux running on zSeries.

“Today’s news with Red Hat will help businesses speed the advantages of Linux on the mainframe,” said Terri Virnig, vice president, IBM eServer zSeries. “Over the past four years, Linux on zSeries has provided hundreds of businesses with the IT efficiencies and economic advantages of open source, while delivering the unmatched reliability of the mainframe.”

Implementing Linux on zSeries is as simple as adding an IFL to an existing mainframe system. As of the end of 2004, approximately 1,700 zSeries customers were using Linux in pilot or production. There are about 250 independent software vendors selling more than 700 Linux applications on zSeries.

“This news is particularly significant for mainframe customers who are looking to quickly leverage the business and technical benefits of Linux and open source software,” said Ed Boyajian, vice president for Global Alliances at Red Hat. “Red Hat and IBM continue to work together to help customers fully benefit from the flexibility, cost-effectiveness and reliability of Linux today.”

Customers have the benefit of easily obtaining a highly reliable, cost-effective solution from one source. IBM and Red Hat have worked together to deliver Linux solutions to the enterprise since 1999.

About Red Hat, Inc.
Red Hat, the world’s leading open source and Linux provider, is headquartered in Raleigh, NC, with satellite offices spanning the globe. Red Hat is leading Linux and open source solutions into the mainstream by making high-quality, low-cost technology accessible. Red Hat provides operating system software along with middleware, applications and management solutions. Red Hat also offers support, training and consulting services to its customers worldwide and through top-tier partnerships. Red Hat’s Open Source strategy offers customers a long-term plan for building infrastructures that are based on and leverage open source technologies with focus on security and ease of management. Learn more: http://www.redhat.com

About IBM
IBM is the world’s largest information technology company, with 80 years of leadership in helping businesses innovate. Drawing on resources from across IBM and key IBM Business Partners, IBM offers a wide range of services, solutions and technologies that enable customers, large and small, to take full advantage of the new era of on-demand business. For more information about IBM, visit http://www.ibm.com.



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Contact Information

Colleen Haikes

Media Relations

IBM

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