Avnet, Novell Team On Linux Channel Program

The Enablement, Partnership, Incentives and Co-Marketing (EPIC) program is jointly funded with Novell to help solution providers craft Suse Linux-based solutions on IBM's eServer platform. The initiative also includes marketing development and planning services and margin-based sales incentives for Novell products, according to Avnet executives.

"The Linux market is big. We participate with Novell in a big way in an effort to drive more business into the Intel space with the Suse OS," said Fred Cuen, president of Avnet Technology Solutions for the Americas.

Novell also is discussing more exclusive offerings with Avnet, Cuen added. "They're talking all the right things in terms of the Linux market," he said.

Through the EPIC program, solution providers will have direct relationships with Novell's Linux Impact Team and local Novell account management and sales teams to assist them through the presales process. Partners can get education and training for the Certified Linux Sales Person (CLS 2005), Certified Novell Sales Person (CNS 2005) and Certified Linux Professionals (CLP) certifications.

"The Linux market offers VARs and ISVs significant growth opportunities, and Novell recognizes that our business partners are at a critical juncture in their growth cycle," said Mark Hardardt, vice president and general manager of worldwide channels and partners at Novell, in a statement.

Avnet Partner Solutions distributes Suse Linux Enterprise Server 9, based on the Linux 2.6 kernel, and the Novell Open Enterprise Server, which incorporates NetWare and Suse Linux in the same operating system.