HANNOVER, GERMANY—Just one day after announcing the 9.1 version of SUSE Linux at the CeBIT 2004 show here, Novell Inc. on Friday rolled out a host of new announcements that included a new partner program, the first release of its GroupWise collaboration platform to run entirely on Linux and a new patch management offering.
The first addition to the company’s PartnerNet program will be 560 SuSE Linux partners. The partners will retain their current benefits and will be eligible to enroll in PartnerNet at no additional charge. Novell also is launching several initiatives to encourage its other partners to support SuSE Linux, including a software development kit, a program to ease hardware-certification requirements and the publishing of a SuSE Linux solution directory.
The enhanced partner program will divide partners into three tracks: solutions providers, including VARs, distributors and system integrators; technology partners, including third-party software vendors whose products integrate with Novell’s; and training partners, who train IT personnel and students on Novell technologies.
Novell will offer four partner specializations: Linux, Secure Identity Management, Resource Management and Web services. ´