Navarre Expands Linux Distribution Offering

Business-to-business e-commerce firm Navarre Corp. (Nasdaq: NAVR) has entered into distribution agreements with Cybernet Systems Corp. and Loki Entertainment Software, significantly adding to a current Linux lineup that includes Caldera, Corel and Red Hat.

Navarre’s Computer Products Division handles distribution of the Linux products, pushing them to key e-commerce operations and traditional retail outlets.

“Consumer acceptance of the Linux operating system continues to expand,” commented Eric Paulson, CEO and Chairman of Navarre Corp. “It is critical that Navarre be in a position to provide a complete line of Linux products to our extended and diverse customer base.”

In April of this year, Navarre inked its first Linux distribution deals with vendors Caldera, Red Hat and SuSE. Ian Warfield, vice president and general manager of Navarre’s computer products division, commented at the time that, “it is Navarre’s intention to play a strategic leadership role in the deployment of Linux and related software to the consumer channel through its business partners.”

Linux to the NetMAX

Cybernet Systems Corp. manufactures an “easy-to-use Linux server software” product line for small to medium-sized businesses that are looking for an inexpensive and simplified way to gain an online presence. The Cybernet products include NetMAX WebServer, NetMAX FileServer and NetMAX FireWall.

Cybernet’s NetMAX product line consists of, according to the company, “the first Linux-based thin servers to hit the market.” The products offer the ability to quickly and economically configure a Web, file or firewall server, working with the intrinsic customizability of the Linux open-source OS.

The NetMAX pre-configured Web server for Linux product, which Cybernet boasts can be installed in 15 minutes, is based on the Red Hat Linux distribution, and includes Apache, an FTP server and the sendmail e-mail server.

Launched in October, the NetMAX products, including the FTP and FireWall offerings, can be installed standalone or in combination, and each carries a sub-$100 (US$) price tag.

“We are happy to partner with Navarre in enhancing the availability of Linux products in the marketplace,” stated Armando Pauker, Vice President, Network Products, Cybernet Systems Corp.

Penetrating The UK Market

In other Linux distribution news, the United Kingdom office of Applix (Nasdaq: APLX), a provider of Linux, UNIX and Microsoft-based software solutions, has entered into an agreement with LinuxIT, a key European software distributor and reseller.

Under the terms of the agreement, LinuxIT will handle the Applixware office suite for Linux software. For the UK market, the product had until now been almost exclusively available online through the Applix e-commerce site.

“This isn’t just another business partnership — it’s the first step in our plan to penetrate the UK Linux business market,” commented Jonathan Forrest, managing director of Applix UK.

“Linux is now a serious contender as the corporate operating system and we are pleased to have teamed up with one of the leading European resellers and distributors for Linux software.”