Linux software suppliers are intensifying their combined marketing efforts in China to expand the adoption of open-source technology across industries in the mainland and the rest of Asia.
Novell Asia-Pacific president Rhonda O'Donnell said increased co-operation would help partners educate, consult, train and bring technical support to more Chinese enterprises keen on using Linux.
'We are exploring more joint opportunities with a number of vendors, including Red Flag and Turbolinux. If we can get it right in China, then we can make it in other markets in Asia,' Ms O'Donnell said.
She said Novell's Linux software was embedded in Sun Microsystems' Java Desktop System, which was being used as the foundation for a standard Linux-based desktop development and deployment programme in the mainland.
That multi-year initiative, which was forged last November between Sun and mainland firms that include Chinasoft Network Technology and China Electronics Technology Corp, will install at least 200 million copies nationwide of this open-source desktop computer platform.
In January, Beijing-based Red Flag Software and Japan's Miracle Linux Corp formed a partnership to jointly develop low-cost, reliable and secure enterprise Linux systems for the Asian market.