AY 30, 2000
Corel and Rebel.com to Deliver Linux(r) to the Enterprise
Marketplace: Strategic Partnerships allow Corel to extend
its Linux(r) offering to SME Customers
OTTAWA, CANADA--In a key strategic move, Corel Corporation
(NASDAQ: CORL, TSE: COR) today announced its intention to enter
into a partnership with Rebel.com to deliver an enterprise edition
of Corel(r) LINUX(r) OS using Rebel.com's OfficeServer software.
This new product will provide front and back-end support for Linux
as well as a migration path enabling computer users to move freely
between multiple platforms. Building on its success in the small
to medium-sized enterprise market (SME), Corel will leverage its
acknowledged expertise on the desktop and offer enterprise clients
an affordable and comprehensive Linux server and Web-based OS
solution.
Since its launch last November, the Corel LINUX OS desktop edition
has gained widespread recognition in the industry. Recent figures
released by PC Data, a market research firm, show Corel is now
ranked second only to Red Hat(tm) when tracking the share of
revenues from sales of the Linux operating system in the U.S.
retail market (PC Data Retail Software Report -- April 2000). Most
recently, Corel LINUX OS Deluxe Edition won the Best New Product
Award in the End-User Software Category by Government Computer
News at FOSE 2000, the largest information technology exposition
serving the government marketplace.
With an eye to the future, Corel is strategically moving towards
the solutions consumers are demanding. According to
International Data Corporation, Linux Server Operating
Environments have seen a 93.2 per cent growth from 1998 to 1999.
"Corel has established itself as an innovative force in the Linux
market with our desktop version of Corel LINUX OS. Now we are
taking the next logical step in our long-term strategy by
delivering that same strength and ease of use to an enterprise
solution," said Dr. Michael Cowpland, president and chief
executive officer at Corel Corporation. "By combining Rebel.com's
award-winning server software technology with our front-end Linux
expertise, we will offer users greater choice and flexibility to
ensure we provide an end-to-end solution that meets their
computing needs."
Corel and Rebel.com have signed a Letter of Intent wherein
Rebel.com agrees to license its Linux-based OfficeServer software,
currently part of Rebel.com's Internet server appliance product --
NetWinder(tm) OfficeServer, to Corel. In recent benchmark tests
conducted by ZD Labs, Rebel.com's NetWinder OfficeServer with DMA
enabled came a clear first in Web Server testing, with performance
up to 20% better than the Whistle Interjet, and 100% better than
the Cobalt Qube 2. Please refer to
www.zdnet.com/zdlabs/stories/main/0,8829,2417272,00.html for a
full text version of the ZD Labs report.
"There is a definite need for a simple, one-stop shop in the Linux
market," said Michael Mansfield, president of Rebel.com. "The
combination of Corel LINUX OS and Rebel.com's OfficeServer
software will supply the SME market with a solution that provides
a comprehensive range of benefits and ease of use."
The OfficeServer software efficiently meets the needs of today's
business by providing full Internet and local area network
support. It includes a broad range of network services such as
firewall/VPN, Web site hosting, Web access, file and printer
sharing and E-mail.
In addition, a standing agreement between Corel and GraphON
enables Corel to provide a migration path, allowing computer users
to move freely between multiple platforms. Together, Corel LINUX
OS and GraphOn Bridges(tm) and GO-Between(tm) give IT managers the
ability to deploy Linux, Windows(r) and UNIX(r)-based applications
to every desktop in their organization with ease. This partnership
offers both simplicity, flexibility and a lower total cost of
ownership for customers.
Through these partnerships, Corel will offer enterprise clients an
affordable and comprehensive server and Web-based OS solution.
Each component of the enterprise edition will be available
individually, including the server edition which will ship in the
fourth quarter of 2000. The enterprise edition will be available
in the first quarter of 2001. It will be localized in several
languages. Technical and professional services to support the
enterprise and server editions of Corel LINUX OS will also be
available through Corel's Linux partners, including LinuxForce and
8D. Further details including pricing and availability will be
announced shortly. |
