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Novell unveils next-generation
enterprise Linux desktop
9 March, 2006
By Alan Thwaits
Novell Inc. is showcasing its next- generation enterprise
Linux desktop at the CeBIT 2006 event in Hanover, Germany.
Novell is positioning SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop as a
breakthrough for general business use, featuring integrated
desktop search, accelerated graphical interfaces, and application
improvements, as well as the ability to coexist with Windows,
Mac, Unix, and other operating systems. In addition, SUSE
Linux Enterprise Desktop can be deployed in a variety of environments,
including thick and thin client settings, or tailored to fit
fixed-function or special-purpose roles, such as shared workstations
and kiosks.
"With Novell Linux Desktop 9, Novell delivered an outstanding
solution for transactional and fixed-function desktops,"
said Jeff Jaffe, executive vice president and CTO for Novell.
"With its successor, SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop, we
are now positioned to serve the sweet spot of the market,
the general office worker. This desktop is already generating
great interest in businesses of all sizes, and it represents
a tremendous new opportunity for Novell."
SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop supports OpenOffice.org 2.0,
an open source office suite that includes spreadsheet, presentation,
and word processing programs. Novell's version of OpenOffice.org
supports many Visual Basic macros, a feature that Novell says
resolves a critical compatibility gap between OpenOffice.org
and Microsoft Office. OpenOffice.org 2.0. Migration issues
have been addressed by the ability to work seamlessly within
environments currently using Microsoft Windows, Microsoft
Office, or Microsoft Exchange. Lotus Notes and Domino users
can access Notes applications, databases, and e-mail using
IBM's planned Lotus Notes Application plug-in for the IBM
Workplace Client Technology. SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop
also supports Novell GroupWise.
The ability of SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop to deliver a
secure operating system, office suite, Web browser, instant
messenger client, file management, integrated desktop search,
and automated software management tools in one solution means
that it can eliminate many IT costs typically associated with
the deployment of Windows desktops, and points towards the
likelihood that more business users will move to it from Microsoft
Windows, according to Ross Chevalier, CTO/CIO at Novell Canada
Ltd.
"The audience for Linux Enterprise Desktop is Windows
users," he said. "Linux Enterprise Desktop is on
its way to a level of usability such that capable Windows
users can do their job without retraining. With it, we've
eliminated barriers to [Linux] entry, by making Linux Enterprise
Desktop look and feel like Windows. The redesign of the desktop
means that it works the way people work."
Chevalier added that Novell's new version of Linux is also
a great differentiator for the channel.
"Everyone in the channel does Windows," he said.
"This is the year when North America will catch up to
Europe in terms of Linux usage. It's a hardware refresh year
for many organizations, and there's more Linux awareness now
in North America than ever before. There's been a real sea
change in people's attitudes towards Linux. Organizations
need to look at what their business really needs to do --
they could be well served by this alternative offering."
SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop, which Novell is currently
offering in both public and private betas, is scheduled to
be available in the summer of 2006.
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