Samaritans goes Linux with IBM and Trustix

For immediate release:

Samaritans goes Linux with IBM and Trustix

London, UK - 3rd December 2002 - The emotional support charity, Samaritans,
has chosen Trustix and IBM to incorporate Linux based security solutions into
the charity's expanding IT infrastructure. The charity is already using SuSe
Professional Linux distribution. 

Samaritans is installing a four zone Trustix Firewall on an IBM eServer x305
and a Trustix Proxy Server on an IBM eServer x300 server.  

Security and Linux specialists Nouveau Solutions recommended the Trustix and
IBM solution, as they were aware of the charity's need to provide more
computing power but keep IT costs as low as possible. Nouveau were also aware
of a heightened interest in securing a new source of confidential data in the
form of the new Samaritans' email support service. 

People in emotional distress can now contact trained Samaritans volunteers by
e-mail.  Currently 80 of the charity's 203 branches throughout the UK and
Republic of Ireland offer the service, with more set to come online in the
coming months. Samaritans volunteers give people the time and space to find a
way forward from their emotional distress in total confidence and without
judgment, whatever the situation. Mike Hermon, IS Manager at Samaritans
explained: "An e-mail is sent in confidence to a single address,
jo@samaritans.org, and administered centrally. Network security provided by
the IBM / Trustix solution is essential to maintain total safety and
confidentiality for our e-mail callers."

Mike Hermon, continued: "One of the great challenges for computing in any
charity is to provide more for less. Linux based solutions such as those from
Trustix and IBM offer all the benefits of low cost and efficient use of
resources associated with Linux backed up by names you can trust". 
 
 "The decision to implement the Trustix Linux Solution on IBM servers was
taken because they offer a very cost efficient and solid reliable solution
with a very user friendly front end and configuration tools." Hermon
expanded:  "As the IT team is fairly small the fact that the products are
easy to get up and running and require little training made Trustix a very
attractive proposition to Samaritans".

"Samaritans' trust in the solutions is a testament to the reliable, cost
effective and easy to use products we offer." noted James Dean UK Sales
Director of Trustix. "Adoption of Linux in the mainstream is gathering
momentum and Samaritans' choice is a reflection of that".

"Together, IBM and Trustix can help Samaritans reduce their total cost of
ownership with an open platform on industry standard servers." said David
Valentine, IBM Linux Sales Executive, Europe, Middle East and Africa.  "Linux
on IBM eServer xSeries systems is designed to help SMB's with security and
reliability."
(ends)

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About Samaritans
Samaritans is a registered charity, founded in 1953, which offers 24-hour
confidential emotional support to anyone in emotional distress. Samaritans'
vision is for a society where fewer people die by suicide because people are
able to share feelings of emotional distress openly without fear of being
judged. Samaritans believes that offering people the opportunity to be
listened to in confidence, and accepted without prejudice, can alleviate
despair and suicidal feelings. It is the aim of Samaritans to make emotional
health a mainstream issue. The service is offered by 18,300 trained
volunteers and is entirely dependent on voluntary support.

Across the UK, you can call Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90 (1850 60 90 90 in
the Republic of Ireland) for the price of a local call. You can also write to
Samaritans at Chris, PO Box 9090, Stirling, FK8 2SA, send an e-mail to
jo@samaritans.org or if you are deaf or hard of hearing use the single
national minicom number 08457 90 91 92 (1850 60 90 91 in the Republic of
Ireland).

About Nouveau Solutions
Nouveau Solutions have been established ten years as a premier provider of
computer solutions. With a highly skilled technical team they provide the
complete computer solution to a range of organisations and industry sectors.
Nouveau's experience also places it firmly in the security arena.
For more information please visit the website at: www.nouveau.co.uk

About Trustix AS 
Trustix is a world recognized vendor of solutions and tools for security and
systems management on Linux. Trustix received the "Solution Excellence Award"
from IBM for the Trustix Linux Solutions 2001. All Trustix Linux Solutions
are certified for and provided on IBM server hardware. Trustix is a privately
held corporation with solid financial backing from leading venture funds. 
Trustix has 50 employees and is headquartered in Trondheim, Norway with
offices in the UK, USA and Asia. For more information about Trustix and its
infrastructure products, go to www.trustix.com 

Press Contacts:
Rose Ross or Hannah Knowles, Omarketing (for Trustix)
T: +44 (0) 208 255 5225
E: rose@omarketing.co.uk	hannah@omarketing.co.uk	

Vincent Smith, IBM eServer
T: +44 (0) 1962 815266
E: smithv@uk.ibm.com

Sarah Nelson, Samaritans
T: +44 (0) 20 8394 8348
E: s.nelson@samaritans.org