SCO to deliver Linux compatibility
Company readies its next release of UnixWare 7.
By Ben Elgin, Sm@rt Reseller
February 19, 1999 5:58 AM PT
zdnet.com
Taking aim at small- to medium-sized businesses, The Santa Cruz Operation (SCO) Inc. will announce next week the next version of UnixWare 7, complete with a business edition configuration that offers a new "Webtop" interface and the ability to run Linux apps on UnixWare 7 servers.
Slated for availability in March, the UnixWare 7 release marks SCO's (Nasdaq:SCOC) attempt to lure smaller customers, after last year's release was aimed solely at larger enterprises.
Shoring up
The product is an especially pivotal release for SCO, which is looking to shore up its channel against inroads from the community-developed Linux operating system and Microsoft Corp.'s omnipresent Windows. Already, at least two major Linux vendors have specifically targeted SCO resellers for their own channel programs.
SCO officials, however, say the open-source threat is not damaging their business.
"We hear this all the time, but truth be told, our unit shipments are up and our revenues are up," says a SCO spokesman. "I think that's a sign that Unix on Intel is hot and that Linux is not really having effect on our ability to grow."
Linux no match
While Linux undoubtedly is having some impact on SCO, at least one channel partners say SCO fits the bill in enterprise settings. "Linux just can't match SCO when it comes to running large networks of PCs," says Cyrus Shiva, director of sales and marketing at CorpNet Information Systems.
The new UnixWare 7 Webtop feature offers server administration through a browser interface on any desktop. According to SCO, the feature also extends ISV character applications by allowing them to run in a new Web-based environment without modifications to the app.
Pricing and availability specifics for UnixWare 7 will be announced next week.
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Hi Stan, would like to hear your TA perspective on SCOC, if you have one.
Take care, TIA
Denis
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