Responding to increased demand at the retail level, Red Hat® Software, Inc. and Ingram Micro, one of the largest software distributors, partnered to bring the Official Red Hat Linux 5.2 Operating System, as well as other Red Hat products, to the major retailers, including chains such as Best Buy and Electronics Boutique, catalog retailers, and on-line resellers.
The Red Hat and Ingram agreement enables retail customers to purchase the Official Red Hat Linux OS with 90 days of installation support directly from Red Hat. While Red Hat Linux's licensing model allows other publishers to sell unofficial Red Hat Linux, the Official Red Hat Linux 5.2 will be the only officially supported version of Red Hat Linux available at retail.
"Our partnership with Ingram will allow us to deliver our officially supported product through to end-users world-wide," said Lisa Sullivan, Director of Sales and Marketing, Red Hat Software. "The demand for official Red Hat Linux has been overwhelming at retail outlets, and we're pleased to answer that demand through a distribution arrangement with Ingram."
The announcement of this agreement coincides with Red Hat's announcement of new authorized reseller programs that will provide unprecedented support and sales programs to corporate users running Official Red Hat Linux on mission-critical applications at the enterprise level.
Said Paul McNamara, Vice President of Enterprise Computing, "This is an opportunity for the Enterprise Computing Division to reach corporate buyers and resellers who are committed to buying from channels that they know and trust. The Ingram distribution gives the Red Hat name tremendous reach and considerable clout."
The Red Hat/Ingram deal begins with the distribution of the Official Red Hat Linux 5.2 release and will follow with subsequent releases, including the long-awaited release featuring the GNOME desktop environment.
Only the Official Red Hat Linux 5.2 comes with a software application disk and 90 days of installation support from Red Hat Software.
For more information about Ingram Micro, please see http://www.ingrammicro.com.
Visit our web site at http://www.redhat.com. Reviews encouraged.
Common with UNIX footnote
LINUX is a trademark of Linus Torvalds. Red Hat is a registered trademark of Red Hat, Inc. UNIX is a registered trademark of The Open Group. 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.