Novell and Wincor Nixdorf Sign Agreement to Provide Linux-Based Point-of-Sale Solutions

WALTHAM, Mass., April 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Novell (Nasdaq: NOVL) today announced a global agreement with Wincor Nixdorf to deploy Novell's Linux* technology in Wincor Nixdorf's products and solutions, including electronic point-of-sale (ePOS) systems. The partnership enables Wincor Nixdorf to embed Novell(R) Linux Point of Service 9 in Wincor Nixdorf's products, including the point-of-sale (POS) hardware platform BEETLE, as well as for store server environments. As a result, the retail industry receives a robust solution with an international operating platform, facilitating Linux migration strategies in the industry.

This agreement enables Wincor Nixdorf to complement its Linux-based portfolio with Linux server functionality -- including centralized system management capabilities -- offered by Novell's SUSE(R) LINUX Enterprise Server platform. Novell Linux Point of Service 9 is optimized for the retail environment, offering SUSE LINUX Enterprise Server attributes including scalability, reliability and security across all major hardware architectures. The combined solution will provide a common Linux environment for the different components in the retailer's IT infrastructure, from their POS or client-like kiosk systems, to embedded devices, in-store servers and headquarters mainframes.

"By integrating Novell Linux Point of Service 9 and SUSE LINUX Enterprise Server technologies in our system platform portfolio, we round out our existing Linux platform portfolio with a sophisticated Linux server platform, as well as a globally available Linux distribution for store systems," said Michael Schulte, head of Wincor Nixdorf Retail Software Marketing. "In addition to this, Novell and Wincor Nixdorf own the mandatory infrastructure and expertise to ensure availability of an industry-conforming Linux release. This translates to long-term protection of a customer's IT investments."

Novell Linux Point of Service 9 is an optimized Linux platform that helps retailers quickly respond to changing supply and demand, and enables them to leverage an open, standards-based technology to create new levels of business efficiency. Novell Linux Point of Service 9 reduces costs and complexity and enhances store operations for a lower total cost of ownership.

"We are pleased to welcome Wincor Nixdorf as a strategic OEM partner," said Johan Rosius, vice president of alliances for Novell Europe, Middle East and Africa. "The combination of Novell Linux Point of Service 9 and Wincor Nixdorf's retail products and solutions will provide global retailers with a reliable Linux-based offering that meets strategic retail industry IT requirements and ensures IT investment protection."

Wincor Nixdorf's product and software portfolio fully meets retail organizations' strategic requirements for system openness, sophisticated functionality and provision of an established international infrastructure, which facilitates the global deployment of retail IT components. By pursuing both a Linux-based evolutionary development concept as well as a Microsoft- based new architecture software development approach, Wincor Nixdorf is able to offer a wide range of solutions to meet strategic customers' demands of either deploying a new architecture solution or expanding existing IT infrastructure gradually. About Novell

Novell, Inc. is a leading provider of infrastructure software and services to over 50,000 customers in 43 countries. With more than 20 years of experience in data center, workgroup and desktop solutions, Novell's 6,000 employees, 5,000 partners and support centers around the world are meeting customer requirements for identity-driven computing and Linux solutions. By providing enterprise-class software and support for commercial and open source software, Novell delivers increased operating flexibility and choice at a lower total cost of ownership. More information about Novell can be found at http://www.novell.com . NOTE: Novell is a registered trademark of Novell, Inc. in the United States and other countries. SUSE is a registered trademark of SUSE LINUX AG, a Novell business. *All third-party trademarks are the property of their respective owners.