Oracle announced Unbreakable Linux Partner Initiative for independent software vendors

Oracle has announced its Unbreakable Linux Partner Initiative in London today, the next step in Oracle`s Unbreakable Linux campaign.

The new initiative dramatically increases financial and technical incentives to independent software vendors (ISVs) delivering applications on Oracle`s Unbreakable Linux software infrastructure. Unbreakable Linux ISV applications created through this initiative will comprise a catalog of offerings "Powered By" Oracle Unbreakable Linux, available through Oracle and its partners. The company will be holding a launch event for ISVs interested in joining the Oracle Unbreakable Linux Partner Initiative on April 1, 2003 at The Pierre Hotel in New York City and in London at The Mandarin Oriental Hotel on April 9, 2003.

Linux is the fastest growing platform, and according to IDC, the Linux database market is projected to grow to US$5.9 billion by 2006. Numerous other industry and financial analyst reports have found that Linux server growth is over 50 percent and a survey of CIOs by Goldman Sachs in November 2002 showed that 39 percent of IT departments have already deployed Linux solutions. An Evans Data Survey published in October 2002, also found that 59 percent of developers expect to write Linux applications in the next year.

"Linux is the fastest growing server operating system and Oracle already has more than 4,000 ISVs using Oracle(R) software on Linux," said Mark Jarvis, chief marketing officer, Oracle Corp. "Software applications developed on our Unbreakable Linux software infrastructure offer a unique combination of innovative technologies like a modern open-source operating system and database and application server clustering that help reduce dramatically the cost of computing while achieving the highest levels of performance, reliability and security. Through this new initiative, we will work together with our partners to offer a catalog of 'Powered By` Oracle Unbreakable Linux applications to this high-growth market that is looking for reliable, scalable, low-cost enterprise software."

ISVs who join the Oracle Unbreakable Linux Partner Initiative through the Oracle Partner Network will receive technical and support resources to help them build their applications, as well as an opportunity to receive aggressive financial incentives and marketing funds to help bring their solutions to market. Applications built on Oracle`s Unbreakable Linux software infrastructure and offered through these partners are also slated to leverage new "Powered By" Oracle Unbreakable Linux compatibility branding. Specialized benefits of this initiative include:

* A lead generation campaign specifically for ISVs delivering solutions on Unbreakable Linux

* A "Powered By" Oracle Unbreakable Linux marketing campaign builder

* Additional marketing development funds for qualifying ISVs

* Access to Oracle and partner competency centers for ISVs to test and tune their applications on Linux

* Oracle on Linux training roadmaps, education and workshops

* Sizing assistance and migration tools

* Pricing and promotional programs

"Our research shows that the Linux computing platform is definitely gaining momentum with larger companies adopting Linux solutions and a greater number of CIOs expecting that they will deploy Linux in their companies over the next year," said Nick Gall, senior vice president, META Group. "The acceleration of Linux adoption is due in large part to the promise of first class support from the major IT vendors, who are also enabling their ISV partners to more confidently develop and market solutions that customers will more readily accept."