22/01-04   -   Pressmeddelande

Leading enterprise application vendors, oems, and solution providers announce support of BakBone´s global linux advantage

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN — January 22, 2004 — In a move that builds industry support and momentum for Open Source Architecture in the data center, BakBone Software™ (TSX: BKB, OTCBB: BKBOF), a global provider of data protection software, today announced the second phase of its worldwide initiative Linux Advantage
(www.bakbone.com/linux_advantage). As part of BakBone’s long-term strategy of delivering the industry’s broadest support for platforms and applications in heterogeneous environments, BakBone is working closely with leading enterprise application vendors, OEMs, and solution providers to provide mutual customers a trusted enterprise solution stack running on Linux. Industry support for Linux Advantage includes HP, Intel, Network Appliance, SGI, Sony, StorageTek, Fujitsu and Breece Hill.

“Acting as the catalyst for enterprise-wide open source adoption, BakBone’s Linux Advantage gives end-users the assurance that there is no compromise in the chain of relationships when deploying mission-critical applications on Linux," said Keith Rickard, president and CEO of BakBone Software. “The support of leading hardware and software vendors signals a significant vote of confidence in the Linux Advantage and underscores the need for continued application-level Linux certification. BakBone’s commitment to ongoing certification with each Linux Advantage partner gives customers the benefits of open source solutions across their complete enterprise-computing infrastructure. More importantly, it’s the same level of data protection they enjoy on Unix and Windows operating systems."


At a time when overall IT spending plans for 2004 are still shoring up, demand for cost-cutting measures is prompting end-users to consider Linux. With Linux Advantage, BakBone’s support for partner Linux distributions and its certification of NetVault with broader enterprise application and device vendors offers customers the assurance they need to confidently deploy mission-critical applications on Linux across the enterprise – from the application to the platform, hardware and devices. By marrying the devices and applications with the Linux distributions for backup and recovery, the Linux Advantage offers customers a single source solution with the highest levels of data protection granularity and performance they require.

“ESG is seeing Linux graduate from being an alternative operating system to becoming more mainstream. This momentum is particularly notable in larger organizations as more and more CIOs expect to deploy Linux this year," said Steve Kenniston, technology analyst, Enterprise Storage Group. “An issue of both opportunity and concern, however, is the quality of support and commitment to Linux delivered by solution providers. The industry support garnered for Linux Advantage further underscores the customer benefits vendors see in supporting this program."

The Linux Advantage initiative provides for joint collaboration on marketing and development opportunities with each Linux Advantage partner. Linux Advantage partners receive the BakBone Linux Advantage ‘Data Protection. Guaranteed’ logo and branding identifying them as program partners. By working with each partner’s respective technical, engineering and development teams to ensure ongoing certification and support for Linux, Linux Advantage delivers customers the proven protection they need against data center stresses today, as well as the flexibility to handle tomorrow’s data protection demands.

Industry Leaders Support Linux Advantage

HP
“HP is the recognized leader in providing Linux based 32 and 64 bit solutions for the most data intensive computing environments," said Martin Fink, vice president of Linux, HP Enterprise Storage and Servers. “BakBone’s Linux Advantage allows HP to deliver on its commitment to putting customers first, offering them the best price, performance and assurance required to fully meet their data protection objectives. BakBone’s NetVault 7 has already been certified on Red Hat Enterprise Linux for Itanium 2 with HP and we look forward to working with BakBone to extend our coverage for both SuSE Linux and the recently announced Asianux distribution by Red Flag Software and Miracle Linux."

Intel
“We commend BakBone’s data protection guarantee," said Melissa Laird, general manager of Intel’s Solutions Enabling Division. “We´re glad to have BakBone as an Early Access Program member and pleased to see them enabling their products for Itanium 2-based systems on Linux."

NetApp
“The rapid deployment and growing popularity of Linux as an enterprise application has prompted the need for increased storage flexibility," said Suresh Vasudeven, VP of product marketing, Network Appliance. “Our support for Linux Advantage continues to build on our companies’ commitment to jointly developing and marketing innovative enterprise data protection solutions. BakBone’s data protection guarantee allows us to further extend the confidence our Linux customers have with NetApp’s data protection strategies."

SGI
“With BakBone Software’s NetVault certification of the SGI Altix servers customers can receive a proven data protection solution with strong application support for their mission-critical environments," said Anneke Dempsey, senior director, Global Alliances, SGI. “Working with BakBone through the Linux Advantage helps us assure our customers that their data protection will not be compromised, and allows us to offer the cost-savings of Linux, combined with the highest levels of performance, reliability and scalability."

Sony
“Linux is an integral part of our StorStation Data Backup and Recovery solution," said Steve Baker, vice president of storage solutions for Sony Electronics´ Business Solutions Division. “We are pleased to be working with BakBone to deliver a complete workgroup server protection system for distributed and enterprise-level storage environments. Our support of Linux Advantage will continue to build on our success in delivering complete Linux-based solutions to our customers."

StorageTek
“StorageTek is pleased to participate in BakBone’s Linux Advantage initiative," said Barba Hickman, vice president of Corporate and Industry Relations. “We see an increasing number of our customers turning to Linux on open systems as a way to drive down cost and improve efficiencies throughout their production environments. StorageTek provides customers with the robust storage solutions they need to get maximum business value from Linux – enabling them to seamlessly and confidently incorporate open source architecture into their existing enterprise IT environments."

Fujitsu
“Linux is one of the most strategic platforms for Fujitsu and we have been actively developing enterprise grade based solutions on Linux," said Masaharu Kitaoka, general manager of Linux Division, Fujitsu, Ltd. “We applaud the arrival of the Linux Advantage initiative and believe that it will help accelerate the adoption of Linux in the enterprise."

Breece Hill
“We see tremendous benefits in BakBone’s Linux Advantage initiative, both from vendor and customer perspectives," said Frank Saab, VP of marketing, Breece Hill LLC. “Breece Hill already has units ranging from entry-level tape autoloaders to powerful mid-range tape libraries under certification with BakBone, and we intend to continue certification of new products. Customers looking for a Linux data protection solution will benefit from the added level of confidence provided by the Linux Advantage."

About BakBone Software, Inc.
BakBone Software is a leading international data recovery solution provider that develops and distributes data backup, restore, and disaster recovery software for network storage and open-systems environments. BakBone delivers scalable solutions that address the complex demands of large enterprise environments, as well as small to medium sized businesses. Founded in 2000, BakBone products are used by Fortune 1000 corporations and domestic and international government entities. Distributed through a select global network of OEM partners, resellers and solution providers, interested companies can learn more information about BakBone’s products and services at www.bakbone.com or email stefane@bakbone.com or call +358 18 17598

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For purposes of BakBone Software´s guarantee, BakBone warrants that NetVault will support the Linux distributions from the Linux distributors, provided that the Linux kernel or runtime libraries are not modified by the end users, and in accordance with BakBone´s applicable product
specifications. BakBone does not guarantee nor will BakBone be responsible for any data loss or similar events or liability, and is subject to BakBone´s license agreement.

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