Caldera Systems, the Linux software distributor, said Wednesday that Fujitsu would distribute Caldera Linux on many of its server computers.
In a statement, Caldera, a company backed by former Novell CEO Ray Noorda, said Fujitsu of Japan had agreed to a strategic pact through which it would distribute OpenLinux 2.3, and future versions of the Caldera software.
The Utah company said the deal represented Fujitsu`s strongest commitment yet to the alternative software operating system favoured by many Web site managers over Microsoft`s Windows NT or other versions of Unix software.
Linux, part of the so-called open source software movement, is developed by a loose worldwide network of software programmers. It is typically given away at low-cost and distributors such as Caldera seek to make money on related training and consulting services.
Caldera said the agreement covered many of Fujitsu`s server products, the category of computers used to manage networks of other computers, including the company`s GranPower series, its line of servers running on Intel chips.
"We are happy to welcome Caldera Systems into the Japanese market," Kanzunari Morimoto, general manager of Fujitsu`s Software Business Promotion Group, said in the statement.
Caldera joins rival Linux distributors such as TurboLinux, which got its start in the Japanese market, and Red Hat, the best known of the Linux distributors, which recently set plans to beef up its operations there. Red Hat was one of the summer`s hottest initial public stock offerings.
"We began seriously watching Linux a year ago and in that time we have seen it grow from a relatively unknown technology to a business OS (operating system) -- especially in the server area," Morimoto said of Linux`s rapid emergence as a serious contender among software used to control business computers.
Fujitsu joins computer makers such as IBM, HP, Compaq Computer and Dell Computer who all have begun offering Linux software to run selected servers of their own.
Ransom Love, Caldera president and CEO, said Fujitsu would promote and distribute OpenLinux and Caldera`s Linux training courses and service options.
Fujitsu and Caldera said they would also work together to ready OpenLinux server software to run laptops, personal computers, personal digital assistants, or handheld computers, as well as mobile phones and Internet appliances and devices.
Fujitsu will assist in distributing and promoting OpenLinux in Asia and eventually worldwide, Caldera said.
Noorda controls Caldera through his Canopy Group investment company.
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