Press Release
Date: 10th November 2004
Ref: L0011

LinuxIT questions Novell’s ability to support its desktop Linux solutions

LinuxIT, the largest independent systems integrator and services provider for Linux in the UK, today commented on the release of Desktop 9, Novell’s Linux based desktop solution.

The company welcomes the news about the release, and appreciates the fact that people have now been given more choice on the desktop. Licensing flexibility, pricing and security issues are driving more and more companies and individuals to seek an alternative to proprietary desktop software.

However, LinuxIT emphasizes that any push of Linux based desktop solutions needs to be supported, and questions whether Novell has the relevant expertise in Europe to do just that. There have been several occasions where even Novell resellers have had to ask LinuxIT for help to technically support their customers.

Peter Dawes-Huish, Sales Director of LinuxIT commented: “Not every company or individual who decides to go for Linux based software has a large IT team behind them. So providing technical support based on strong Linux expertise around the clock every day, just has to be number one priority for each vendor. For many, moving to Linux on the desktop will be a radical change, and although the benefits of cost savings and improved security are obvious, IT support needs to be available as part of the deal.”

Peter continues: “We cannot see that Novell has the appropriate network and the relevant expertise to support this major push of Desktop 9. We are also questioning the company’s long-term commitment to Linux, after Novell’s vice-chairman was recently ousted. One has to ask the question why the very person, who was responsible for acquiring SUSE and Ximian, and therefore advocating the move to Linux, is no longer there.”
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LinuxIT is the UK’s largest independent provider of IT Infrastructure integrating Linux and Open Source solutions with Microsoft and other vendors’ technologies. LinuxIT is the UK Powerhouse of Linux expertise with consultants forming the backbone to the services of most of the best known names in IT. 

Our aim is to work in partnership with our customers to identify the best IT solution to the business problems, and assist in implementing the solution most appropriate to the customer’s business and technical needs.

As IT infrastructure experts, our knowledge includes all of the commonly used operating systems and applications from most of the hardware and software vendors, ranging from Microsoft to RedHat. As independent consultants our recommendations may include any or all of these vendors’ solutions irrespective of personal prejudice.  LinuxIT’s customers are predominantly SMEs across the entire spectrum of vertical market sectors.

Flagship customers include AEA, Star Internet, IBM, HP, NEC and DELL.

For further information, please contact:
Ev Milker
Marketing and PR Manager
LinuxIT
Tel: +44 (0)117 905 8718
e-mail: evm@linuxit.com