SuSE First Linux SAP Partner

SuSE Linux got a boost in the enterprise world after being named a SAP
technology partner, officials announced Monday.

Linux, an open source OS popular with computer enthusiasts and network
administrators alike, has been making headway in the enterprise market
lately, due in part to the increasing popularity and legitimacy of the
platform’s two largest private companies — SuSE Linux and RedHat.

SAP has long supported Microsoft , Sun Microsystems
and Unix companies as the premier platforms to run its
e-business applications, but Linux’ presence has been noticeably absent to
date.

A lot of it has to do with the relative “newcomer” status the OS holds, and
until recently, it was considered a platform used primarily by the end
user. But in recent times, a growing number of big-name SAP customers have
underscored Linux’ use in the enterprise.

Last month, the federal government in Germany announced
it would run its SAP e-government applications on Linux servers. Because
of this, SAP officials are now warming to the prospect of bringing Linux
into the fold, saying, “companies in the financially-restrained public
services sector and firms who need to keep a tight rein on their budget are
also migrating to Linux.”

Back in May, Siemens AG officials said they were going to begin
running
SAP back-office applications on a Linux server.

In fact, SAP has been a big Linux fan, long before branding
SuSE Linux with the “generally available for mySAP.com” moniker last
year. It has embraced the potential of thousands of Linux developers
developing custom SAP applications; so much so, SAP made its database
application open
source
under the GNU General Public License in 2000.

As a “Global Technology Partner,” SuSE Linux can sell its enterprise
servers to SAP customers around the world, opening a door to corporations
around the world who build their systems around their mySAP applications.

SuSE is in direct competition with another company providing a Linux-based
enterprise service — RedHat, which is releasing its latest OS upgrade today.
Two weeks ago, Red Hat scored a win of its own in the enterprise community,
working with IBM to deliver
a clustered Oracle database on a Linux platform.

In related news, SAP board of directors announced the appointment of
William McDermott as president and chief executive officer of SAP America,
Inc., Monday. McDermott, 41, was enticed from Siebel Systems, where he was
executive vice president for worldwide sales. He begins work at SAP Oct. 7.

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