Oracle Debuts ISV Program for Unbreakable Linux

Oracle has already joined forces with Red
Hat and with
UnitedLinux. On Wednesday it moved to round out its Unbreakable Linux
program by bringing in the independent software vendors (ISVs).

The company unveiled the Unbreakable Linux Partner Initiative, saying it
will provide sales incentives, marketing funds, development and support
resources to convince ISVs to jump onto the Unbreakable Linux bandwagon.

“Linux is the fastest growing server operating system and Oracle already
has more than 4,000 ISVs using Oracle software on Linux,” said Mark Jarvis,
chief marketing officer, Oracle. He added, “Through this initiative, we
will work together with our partners to offer a catalog of ‘Powered by
Unbreakable Linux’ offerings to this high-growth market that is looking for
reliable, scalable, low-cost enterprise solutions.”

While many ISVs are already making Unbreakable Linux solutions, Oracle’s
Robert Shimp, vice president of database marketing, noted that customers
are interested in moving to a low-cost server operating system like Linux,
but they also want a single technical support number to call and classic
enterprise-level application support. Providing that is the thrust behind
Oracle’s partnerships with Dell , Hewlett-Packard , Red Hat and UnitedLinux. The new partnership program further
extends Oracle’s support capabilities to its ISV partners.

In exchange for joining, ISVs will have access to:

• A lead generation campaign specifically for ISVs delivering solutions
  on Unbreakable Linux
• A “Powered By” Unbreakable Linux marketing campaign builder
• Additional marketing development funds for qualifying ISVs
• Access to Oracle and partner competency centers for ISVs to test and
  tune their applications on Linux
• Oracle on Linux training roadmaps, education and workshops
• Sizing assistance and migration tools
• Pricing and promotional programs.

“We will put in $2 for every $1 they put in to get these campaigns
launched,” Shimp said of the marketing funds Oracle will supply. He added
that, for the first time, ISV partners will have access to Oracle’s
installed base, and that solutions they create will be visible on Oracle.com.

Shimp said Oracle is pouring additional resources into its Unbreakable
Linux campaign because the demand has exceeded its expectations. He noted
that the company just passed its millionth download of Oracle Database on
Linux.

“It’s been very encouraging,” he said. “That’s one of the big reasons why
we’re now taking this to the next level. We’re seeing the market reach the
critical point where a whirlwind of sales start to occur. We think that’s
just going to open the door to tremendous growth for everybody.”

Oracle will formally introduce the program at its Unbreakable Linux Partner
Initiative event at the Pierre Hotel in New York City on April 1.