Red Hat Teams Up with Wincor Nixdorf to Deliver an Intelligent, Scalable Thin Client POS System on Embedded Linux

RALEIGH, N.C -

Red Hat, Inc., the leader in developing, deploying and managing open source Internet infrastructure solutions, has combined with Wincor Nixdorf to bring to market the BEETLE Point-of-Sale systems based on Embedded Linux. The BEETLE comes to market amidst growing competition in the retail sector, which has given rise to a demand for new IT solutions, both in the central office and in stores.

Commenting on the project, Dieter Hoffmann, managing director of Red Hat Central Europe said, " We helped Wincor Nixdorf to build a system based on Red Hat embedded Linux. Wincor Nixdorf has recognized that retailers look at Red Hat Linux as a platform for retail solutions as an alternative to proprietary operating systems. The benefits of Red Hat Linux are its upgrade capabilities and the TCO (total cost of ownership). This was a very exciting project and Red Hat continues to provide level three support and engineering support while this product is in the field."

The BEETLE NetPOS is an intelligent, scalable thin client system developed for the new server centric network solutions. This product is designed to deliver new server-oriented solution concepts and subsequently to satisfy the new requirements for POS (Point Of Sale) hardware and software. The result of this server centric computing will be to optimize the high costs of software distribution, system maintenance and administration in large networks, thus minimizing the TCO.

"The BEETLE NetPOS offers an attractive design, a minimum footprint and maximum availability at an optimal price/performance ratio. We see massive demand for this product on Embedded Linux and by using Red Hat's expertise, experience and support this was made possible," commented Winfried Nolte from Wincor Nixdorf. "The BEETLE NetPOS will give the user the option to define how thin his system is to be and this also applies of the peripherals: POS printers, customer displays, scanners, cash drawers, payment terminals, can be connected as required."

About Wincor Nixdorf GmbH & Co. KG
Wincor Nixdorf GmbH & Co. KG is one of the leading companies in IT solutions and products as well as services in the field of banking and retail. The company employs approximately 3,600 persons and has earned revenue of 2.6 billion DM in fiscal year 1998/99, with a worldwide scope of action in 40 countries and with 28 subsidiaries.

In the field of electronic POS systems, Wincor Nixdorf is market leader both in Germany and in Europe, and number 3 worldwide. In the field of automated teller machines, Wincor Nixdorf is market leader in Germany, number 2 in Europe and number 3 worldwide.

Wincor Nixdorf offers products and solutions for the entire chain of the added value branch of the distribution sector: from electronic point of sale systems to data warehouse applications. With the POS Beetle systems, electronic labeling solutions, electronic registers and automatic scanning, its key offers include products and services for distribution, as well as a portfolio of offers to efficiently meet consumer demands. The offer to the banking business sector includes automatic money distributors, printers, multimedia information systems, microchip cards and terminals for airlines. The latest innovation is a compact modular system combining the basic functions of a small self-service branch. Worldwide, Wincor Nixdorf is the only supplier who offers a software package for financial institutions that is based on universal standards and can be used throughout the self-service sector. The Services Division renders services for products and solutions, including installation and maintenance of hardware and software products, regular routine inspections, repairs, software upgrades and management of market rollouts. With the founding of the services division Wincor Nixdorf has completed the value chain for the customers by including one more decisive element.

For more information, see our website at : www.wincor-nixdorf.com.

About Red Hat, Inc.

Red Hat, the world's leading open source and Linux provider, is headquartered in Raleigh, NC with satellite offices spanning the globe. The most trusted name in open source, CIOs and other senior-level IT executives have ranked Red Hat as the industry's most valued vendor for two consecutive years in the CIO Insight Magazine Vendor Value study. Red Hat is leading Linux and open source solutions into the mainstream by making high quality, low cost technology accessible. Red Hat provides operating system software along with middleware, applications and management solutions. Red Hat also offers support, training and consulting services to its customers worldwide and through top-tier partnerships. Red Hat's open source strategy offers customers a long term plan for building infrastructures that are based on and leverage open source technologies with focus on security and ease of management. Learn more: http://www.redhat.com

LINUX is a trademark of Linus Torvalds. RED HAT is a registered trademark of Red Hat, Inc. All other names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

  • About Red Hat
  • Red Hat is the world’s leading provider of open source software solutions, using a community-powered approach to reliable and high-performing cloud, Linux, middleware, storage and virtualization technologies. Red Hat also offers award-winning support, training, and consulting services. As the connective hub in a global network of enterprises, partners, and open source communities, Red Hat helps create relevant, innovative technologies that liberate resources for growth and prepare customers for the future of IT. Learn more at http://www.redhat.com.



  • Forward-Looking Statements
  • Certain statements contained in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements provide current expectations of future events based on certain assumptions and include any statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including: risks related to delays or reductions in information technology spending; the effects of industry consolidation; the ability of the Company to compete effectively; the integration of acquisitions and the ability to market successfully acquired technologies and products; uncertainty and adverse results in litigation and related settlements; the inability to adequately protect Company intellectual property and the potential for infringement or breach of license claims of or relating to third party intellectual property; the ability to deliver and stimulate demand for new products and technological innovations on a timely basis; risks related to data and information security vulnerabilities; ineffective management of, and control over, the Company’s growth and international operations; fluctuations in exchange rates; and changes in and a dependence on key personnel, as well as other factors contained in our most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (copies of which may be accessed through the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov), including those found therein under the captions "Risk Factors" and "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations". In addition to these factors, actual future performance, outcomes, and results may differ materially because of more general factors including (without limitation) general industry and market conditions and growth rates, economic and political conditions, governmental and public policy changes and the impact of natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods. The forward-looking statements included in this press release represent the Company’s views as of the date of this press release and these views could change. However, while the Company may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company’s views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.