Novell evangelises Linux in Europe

Open-source software is picking up steam in European businesses, and Novell is following suit — perhaps to the extent of releasing some of its own
products under open-source licences, according to Novell EMEA (Europe, the Middle East and Africa) president Richard Seibt.

Seibt, formerly the head of Novell’s SuSE Linux business unit and chief executive of SuSE before its takeover by Novell, took over as head of Novell’s
European operations earlier this month. In an interview on Thursday he said the biggest demand from customers is coming from server consolidation,
standardisation on the Linux operating system and security — specifically identity management (see Insight’s Authentication Toolkit for more
information on identity management).

“Those are the three most important areas for customers at the moment,” said Seibt. “Fortunately, Novell has a portfolio of products for ensuring
delivery of value on these issues.”