MÚNICH - —
Red Hat, Inc. (Nasdaq:RHAT), the world's leading provider of open source solutions to the enterprise, today announced the launch of its Advanced Partner Programme. In concert with the Red Hat Global Partner Programme which was also launched today, the Red Hat Advanced Partner Programme allows European resellers, VARs and system integrators to offer their customers a complete open-source solution. Red Hat Advanced Partners receive comprehensive support from Red Hat staff, both in pre-sales and in distribution, as well as exclusive access to information and evaluation versions.
To become a Red Hat Advanced Partner, partners must show that they have the necessary Linux expertise, by employing at least two Red Hat Certified Engineers (RHCEs). A jointly prepared business plan including a minimum sales target provides the basis for the co-operation. Advanced Partners are given access to exclusive information and materials via a separate area of the company website. Benefits of the Advanced Partner Programme include the opportunity to sell a complete open source solution, comprising the entire infrastructure of the Red Hat Network (proxy and satellite servers and provisioning) Red Hat Training, Consulting and Support. Business contacts and the joint realisation of projects are also included in the programme. UK partners include ISC Computers Plc
and LinuxIT.
"Advanced Partners play an extremely important role in Red Hat's long term business strategy," said Dirk Haaga, Channel Manager Central Europe at Red Hat. "The aim of this programme is to work more closely with our Advanced Partners. As such, we will be looking to develop a group of about 20 partners per region, to ensure that co-operation is as productive as possible for both sides."
Further information about the Red Hat Advanced Programme can be found at http://www.europe.redhat.com/partners/
###
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. 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
Forward-Looking Statements
Forward-looking statements in this press release are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Investors are cautioned that statements in this press release that are not strictly historical statements, including, without limitation, management's plans and objectives for future operations, and management's assessment of market factors, constitute forward-looking statements which involve risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, reliance upon strategic relationships, management of growth, the possibility of undetected software errors, the risks of economic downturns generally, and in Red Hat's industry specifically, the risks associated with competition and competitive pricing pressures, the viability of the Internet, and other risks detailed in Red Hat's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, copies of which may be accessed through the SEC's Web site at http://www.sec.gov.
*LINUX is a trademark of Linus Torvalds. RED HAT is a registered trademark of Red Hat, Inc.
Java is a trademark of Sun Microsystems.
All other names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.