Linux partner programs: Making the decision

If you have not yet ventured into the Linux market but are considering it, and have no pressure from existing customers to push you in one direction, you have the luxury of approaching the choice with an open mind. For you, there's a real strategic choice to be made. Both Novell and Red Hat offer plenty to the dealer channel. While Novell may have more strategic partnerships with top vendors and a better way of working with its channel partners, Red Hat has a bigger installed base and is the overall market share leader, so its channel program can't be ignored. Because there are so many customers using Red Hat, an open source channel provider that doesn't belong to Red Hat's program is missing out on a significant portion of potential business. But Novell customers do exist, and if you are more interested in sales support, customer leads and vendor commitment than market share, Novell might make more sense for you.

If, on the other hand, your existing customers have already made a commitment to Linux or have made a decision on their own as to which Linux distribution they like best, your choice will be guided more by their needs and wants. In that case, you'll need to consider,...

Digg This!     StumbleUpon     Del.icio.us

RELATED CONTENT Open Source Server Management IBM, Microsoft and Zend partner for PHP cloud API Red Hat, Synnex form Open Source Channel Alliance Systems products to pay attention to Finding a niche in open source ERP How Red Hat and SUSE Linux partner programs compare Red Hat Enterprise Linux partner program Novell SUSE Linux partner program Linux distribution and platform choices for system integrators Strategic choices in open source: Technology, application integration options Supporting open source software Systems Channel Conflict Active Directory voted best Windows Server 2008 R2 feature TuCloud, IBM fight for Desktop as a Service cloud Google Chrome OS gains credibility with VMware Oracle's GoldenGate acquisition highlights SAP's shortcomings Distributed Power Management in vSphere cuts energy costs Sun and IBM deal called off VMware aims to reduce channel conflict between VARs, OEMs Microsoft small business specialists get free virtual manager Citrix-XenSource acquisition falls short of some partners' hopes Best systems blog posts Linux Server Operating Systems Automating SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11 installation SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11: New Xen virtualization features Tech Data offers video software for Mac OS X VARs Using the Ubuntu Linux system monitor tool Installing SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11 Ubuntu Linux installation and hard drive setup guide Application virtualization management suite due from Symantec Red Hat JBoss growth, partner program changes bring opportunities Red Hat revenue breaks $500 million mark Novell channel chief assures Novell partners about leadership

RELATED RESOURCES 2020software.com, trial software downloads for accounting software, ERP software, CRM software and business software systems Search Bitpipe.com for the latest white papers and business webcasts Whatis.com, the online computer dictionary

for example, what they're asking for and what their existing infrastructure is like. Have they had prior relationships with Novell? Are they a global company? If your customers tend to follow the crowd, they are likely to prefer Red Hat. If your customer is a global company that has had relationships with Novell (remember NetWare?) and/or SUSE prior to Novell's purchase, it may prefer Novell. By examining your customer base, you can determine which Linux partner program is more likely to perform well with customers.

[IMAGE]
[IMAGE]How Red Hat and SUSE Linux partner programs compare
[IMAGE]  Home: Introduction
[IMAGE]  1: Red Hat Enterprise Linux partner program
[IMAGE]  2: Novell SUSE Linux partner program
[IMAGE]  3:Making the decision

Rate this Tip To rate tips, you must be a member of SearchSystemsChannel.com. Register now to start rating these tips. Log in if you are already a member. DISCLAIMER: Our Tips Exchange is a forum for you to share technical advice and expertise with your peers and to learn from other enterprise IT professionals. TechTarget provides the infrastructure to facilitate this sharing of information. However, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or validity of the material submitted. You agree that your use of the Ask The Expert services and your reliance on any questions, answers, information or other materials received through this Web site is at your own risk.