SuSE Linux is proposing a service program for middleware
products based on open code, which could help enterprises expand
their use of open-source software beyond the Linux operating system
more easily.
"There are a lot of new open-source products in the middleware
market but it's difficult for enterprises to know who is doing what
and, in particular, how to obtain service," said SuSE chief
executive officer Richard Seibt.
"The service that we're discussing with the middleware suppliers
is for us to provide 'one-face-to-the-customer' support and
maintenance for their open-source products in addition to
ours."
Under the proposed scheme, SuSE would include open-source
middleware offerings in its product portfolio and guarantee that
customers signing a service contract would receive patches, new
releases and more.
"This is not about competition but rather about
collaboration," Seibt said. "Our aim is to enable open-source
middleware in enterprises - that is, to make it safe and easy for
them to use."
The bundling of open-source products comes in response to
customer demands for simplified service.
As part of the service, SuSE would ensure that all middleware
applications running on Linux work without bugs. "If a bug
surfaces, we fix it," Seibt said. "Customers don't have to waste
time finding someone to handle that."
SuSE has already held talks with several providers of
open-source middleware.
"The response has been good; there's definitely interest in
collaborating," Seibt said. "But, of course, the devil is in the
details. We will need to agree on various issues, including service
fees."
Over the next three to six months, SuSE hopes to announce the
"next step" for its middleware service program, which he referred
to as a "win-win" proposition for both SuSE and suppliers of
open-source middleware products, including The Apache Software
Foundation, JBoss Group and Zope.
SuSE is also to join the ObjectWeb consortium, which is focused
on open-source middleware. It will have privileged access to the
community of developers of many middleware components and
platforms, including JOnAS (Java open application server).
ObjectWeb, which was founded by Bull, France Télécom and the
French National Institute for Research in Computer Science and
Control, promotes alternative software to proprietary products
focused on e-business, enterprise application integration, grid
computing and enterprise messaging. Red Hat joined the ObjectWeb
consortium last month.
As for SuSE's continued independence, Seibt would only say that
the company continues to be a rumoured candidate for acquisition by
a number of companies, including Novell.
"There are lots of rumours out there, and there will be many
more," he said. "We're doing well, and that attracts
attention."
John Blau writes for IDG News Service