SuSE Linux Enterprise Desktop to launch in January

*** SuSE Linux Develops Linux Desktops for Enterprises ***

"SuSE Linux Office Desktop" enables the continued utilization of 
Microsoft Office applications, "SuSE Linux Enterprise Desktop" to 
be released in the first quarter of 2003

Nuremberg, Germany, October 29, 2002 - Today, SuSE Linux, the 
international Open Source technology leader and solutions 
provider, announced a multi-stage product campaign for the 
corporate desktop deployment of SuSE Linux. Starting January 2003, 
small and medium-scale enterprises will be able to migrate to 
Linux on desktops using the "SuSE Linux Office Desktop". "SuSE 
Linux Enterprise Desktop", a Linux version optimized for desktop 
deployment in large-scale enterprises, is expected to be released 
in the first quarter of 2003.

Even Microsoft CEO, Steve Ballmer can no longer deny that Linux 
has established a place in the server room of enterprises. The 
rising cost pressures and increasing demand for more independence 
from manufacturers prompts a growing number of enterprises to 
consider alternatives for company desktops.

"In numerous desktop projects during the past years, we gained 
insight into the various needs of enterprises," explains Petra 
Heinrich, VP Qualified User at SuSE Linux. "The clear increase in 
the customer demand for corporate Linux desktop solutions has 
confirmed our conviction that the time has come to carry the 
accumulated experience to the market in the form of desktop 
products tuned to the needs of our target groups."

*** Products for SME, Large-Scale Industry and Public 
Administration

The first element of SuSE's product campaign for the utilization 
of Linux on workstations will be available January 2003. Using 
SuSE Linux Office Desktop, small companies as well as private 
users without any previous Linux experience, will be able to 
utilize the stability and security of Linux on the desktop. In 
addition, SuSE Linux Office desktop will allow users to continue 
the processing of existing data with accustomed applications such 
as Microsoft Office.

For the first quarter of 2003, SuSE Linux projects the release of 
SuSE Linux Enterprise Desktop. With a focus on easy central 
administration, this Linux version will be optimized for 
deployment in large-scale enterprises, public administrations and 
companies with multiple locations. Already in use for more than 
one year is a corresponding SmartClient installation at Debeka, a 
German insurance and financial services group, with over 3000 PC 
workstations in more than 230 locations. Currently, SuSE migrates 
another German insurance company, Stuttgarter Lebensversicherung, 
with up to 1000 desktops to Linux.

*** SuSE Linux Office Desktop - Tailored for Windows Migrators

SuSE Linux Office Desktop combines the technology and user-
friendliness of SuSE Linux 8.1 with proven tools that facilitate 
the migration from Windows operating systems and applications. 
During the installation, SuSE's system assistant YaST2 (Yet 
another Setup Tool) automatically detects the existing Windows 
95/98/ME installation and submits a suitable proposal for the 
rearrangement of existing hardware space and the Linux software to 
be installed. Due to the partitioning tool Acronis OS Selector, 
the migration to Linux performs smoothly, even with a preinstalled 
Windows XP/2000.

"Thanks to our partnership with SuSE, we are very pleased to offer 
the unique partition technology in our OS Selector software to all 
SuSE Linux users," said Maxim Tsypliaev, President of Acronis. 
"Our commitment to the Linux community as a whole, and 
specifically to SuSE Linux users, is demonstrated in the fact that 
we are the only system software publisher today who offers full 
support for all Linux file systems, including ReiserFS, Ext2, and 
Ext3."

*** Microsoft Office or StarOffice - Users Have the Choice

SuSE Linux Office Desktop seamlessly enables the continued use of 
existing data. StarOffice 6.0 by Sun Microsystems offers text 
processing, spreadsheet, and presentation applications in Linux, 
combined with mature filter functions for data exchange. In 
addition, StarOffice Base provides a powerful database. Codeweaver 
CrossOver Office 1.2 allows the utilization of accustomed 
applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Visio 
2000 on the SuSE desktop. For the first time, IBM Lotus Notes can 
be used from a Linux client. Both KDE 3.0.3 and GNOME 2.0 are 
available as graphical desktop environments. With the 
functionality and appearance of the mail client Evolution, users 
will not miss Microsoft Outlook. SuSE Linux Office Desktop 
provides all tools needed for office clients in a small or medium 
scale network.

*** Price and Availability

The new SuSE Linux Office Desktop includes detailed documentation 
and 90 days of installation support. SuSE Linux Office Deskop will 
be available from SuSE Linux resellers from January 2003. The 
recommended retail price for one workstation is EUR 139.00.

*** About SuSE Linux

SuSE Linux is one of the world's leading providers of products and 
services, based on Linux operating system. In addition to the 
operating system and application software for private customers, 
SuSE offers software solutions and complete systems for the use of 
Linux in the enterprise. SuSE supports enterprise customers with a 
comprehensive range of qualified consulting, training, and support 
services. Hosting the world's largest development team for Open 
Source solutions, SuSE Linux shares its unique project and support 
information online, in the largest existing Linux knowledge 
database. Further information on SuSE Linux can be found at 
http://www.suse.de/en/