ENGINEERING

SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- In a news conference here today, Dell (Nasdaq:DELL) executives outlined new professional services designed to accelerate the deployment of Linux in the enterprise, including jointly-delivered services with Red Hat Inc. The agreement extends the companies' One Source Alliance with a portfolio of services to help customers migrate from proprietary UNIX systems to Linux. Dell also announced services that facilitate the planning and deployment of enterprise-ready solutions on Dell server and storage systems running Red Hat Linux Advanced Server, Oracle9i Database and Oracle9i Real Application Clusters (RAC). "Driving a lower total cost of ownership through all phases of deployment and maintenance of enterprise Linux solutions from Dell, Red Hat and Oracle is essential to our customers that want to migrate from more expensive proprietary systems," said Randy Groves, vice president and general manager, Dell's Enterprise Systems Group. "These new services address this goal and enhance the proven Dell-Red Hat-Oracle platform solutions for enterprise Linux." Specifically, Dell Professional Services and Red Hat will offer new assessment services, planning/proof of concept services, application porting and implementation services. These migration services will include a total cost of ownership assessment that details the potential savings associated with migrating from proprietary Unix to Linux. In addition, Dell Professional Services are available to assist customers in the design, building and implementation of Dell(tm) PowerEdge(tm) server, PowerVault and Dell EMC storage systems with Oracle9i Databases and Oracle9i RAC on Red Hat Linux Advanced Server. "The combination of Red Hat Linux Advanced Server with Dell servers running the Oracle9i Database has greatly impacted the enterprise Linux market," said Mike Evans, vice president of Business Development, Red Hat. "Through the One Source Alliance we are able to quickly implement and deploy a complete and more economical enterprise-quality solution for our joint customers. Together we are creating a stable, reliable platform that will exceed any customer's IT infrastructure needs." Today's announcements underscore the value and evolution of the Dell and Red Hat One Source Alliance to develop optimized Linux solutions for customers. More than three years ago, Dell became the first company to offer factory installation of Red Hat Linux on its entire line of servers. Now, as an increasingly desirable alternative to expensive RISC-based platforms, Dell and Red Hat are delivering certified enterprise Linux solutions to customers, enabling them to simplify their corporate computing infrastructures with significant cost-savings. Other highlights of the One Source Alliance include: According to IDC's Quarterly Server Tracker, Q1, 2002, Dell is leading supplier of Intel-based servers and workstations in the United States, and Red Hat is the leading shipper of Linux in the United States. Dell offers customers the Direct Access program, where Linux customers can communicate directly with Dell and Red Hat Linux engineers and developers and noted Red Hat Linux luminaries to gain insight into the Linux architecture. Dell is providing customers a 3-year subscription to the Red Hat Linux Advanced Server operating system to complement their 3-year subscription to Dell Premier Enterprise Service, simplifying the maintenance of enterprise solutions throughout its lifecycle. Dell is the platform used to build Oracle9i Database and Oracle9i RAC solutions on Red Hat Linux Advanced Server. Pricing and Availability Joint Dell and Red Hat services for migration to Linux platforms are available immediately, with pricing determined by scope of work required by each customer. As an example, within the complete portfolio of Unix-to-Linux migration services, a total cost of ownership assessment starts at approximately $5,000. Dell custom services for Oracle9i Database and Oracle9i RAC are available immediately, with packaged offerings to be delivered later this year.