TOKYO and NUREMBERG, Germany -- SuSE Linux AG, and Turbolinux Inc., announced a worldwide strategic alliance to deliver Enterprise Linux software and services for IBM's eServer zSeries mainframes and iSeries and pSeries servers. The alliance combines engineering collaboration with joint sales and marketing activities for upcoming products and services originally based on the SuSE Enterprise Server for the IBM eServer platforms. The resulting offerings will be marketed and sold by each company's respective brand and channels beginning in the fourth quarter 2002. With this strategic alliance in place, SuSE and Turbolinux will set the global standard for enterprise Linux products and service offerings for the IBM eServer platforms, which will be available through both the SuSE and Turbolinux channels. "This alliance between two Linux industry leaders will afford our enterprise customers a compelling value proposition," said Steve Solazzo, general manager, Linux, IBM. "The combined development, sales, and marketing resources of Turbolinux and SuSE focused on this single, proven Linux offering for the IBM eServer platforms will continue to ensure that Linux will enjoy a prominent position in enterprise computing worldwide." Both Turbolinux and SuSE are leading world wide Linux distributors and market leaders in their respective areas: Turbolinux in Asia Pacific, and SuSE in Europe. Both companies, under their existing separate brand names, will continue to develop Linux solutions and services for the enterprise customer base. "Our partnership with Turbolinux represents a strong team agreement that combines Turbolinux's and SuSE's expertise for Linux and open source solutions, with marketing scope and sales coverage," said Gregory Blepp, VP International of SuSE Linux AG. "As a result our enterprise customers can take advantage of easy and fast access to the enterprise Linux solutions jointly delivered by SuSE and Turbolinux. "This strategic alliance with SuSE provides products and services based on global standards while optimizing local needs," said Koichi Yano, COO and President of Turbolinux. "Our partnership with SuSE to enable Linux on the IBM eServer series will accelerate the adoption of enterprise Linux in the Asia-Pacific region among major enterprise customers."