Linux Getting ‘Pervasive’

Pervasive Software, Inc. (Nasdaq: PVSW) has moved its SQL 2000 server for developinge-commerce applications into the open-source arena by making it available to developers working with the Linux environment. Simultaneously, the Austin, Texas-based database and Web application solutions provider has been ServerProven certified by IBM (NYSE: IBM) to run on the Netfinity server series. Announcing the intention to extend Linux support and to all of its development products, Pervasive will release its SQL 2000 for Linux product this quarter, making it available for the Caldera, Red Hat and SuSE Linux open-source operating system (OS) distributions.

“By porting our flagship products to Linux and completing IBM’s business-critical Linux Netfinity ServerProven program, we are giving the developer community the freedom to create Web-based ande-business applications for everyone, everywhere in the Linux environment,” commented Greg Jones, general manager of the Pervasive SQL 2000 products family. “Ultimately, Pervasive is committed to supporting the Linux OS as an alternative, open-source platform for the burgeoning network of software developers who use Pervasive’s application development solutions.”

The release of the SQL 2000 Linux product, which is priced at $995 (US$) for a 10-user server version, marks Pervasive’s official entry into the market for Linux-based solutions.

Server Proven To Netfinity

IBM administers its ServerProven Solutions program in order to test software compatibility with Netfinity, and last summer expanded the scope to include vendors supporting Linux. Applix, Inc. (NASDAQ: APLX), maker of the Applixware office productivity suite, was the first Linux-based product to meet ServerProven criteria.

Linux device drivers for IBM’s ServRAID adapter, for instance, are made available through its Linux distribution partners and the company’s official Web site. Additionally, an online forum has been created where customers, developers and resellers can exchange ideas and post questions regarding Linux and Netfinity.

Big Blue has tapped KeyLabs, an independent organization, to conduct the certification for the ServerProven program. “A growing number of our customers are considering Linux for their business applications,” explained Tom Figgatt, Linux segment executive for the IBM Netfinity Servers group.

About Linux

Linux is a freely distributed OS, based on UNIX, which was created in 1991 as an alternative to Windows. International Data Corp. (IDC) indicates that Linux grew more than 212 percent and captured more than 17 percent of all server OS shipments in 1998. More than 12 million end users and organizations now use Linux technologies worldwide.