This collaboration offers ISVs using VMware Studio a free evaluation redistribution of appliances built on fully supported SUSE Linux Enterprise, a unique offering that helps them to streamline and simplify the process of creating virtual appliances. In addition, the companies are jointly working with ISVs to develop VMware Ready virtual appliances powered by SUSE Linux Enterprise. As a result, ISVs can offer their customers a complete, out-of-the-box solution that requires minimal installation and configuration, thus significantly reducing cost and complexity.

With VMware Studio, ISVs can use VMware-based tools to build an appliance optimised for the VMware ESX platform. VMware Studio complements Novell’s own SUSE Studio, which will enable ISVs to build appliances powered by SUSE Linux Enterprise and optimised for multiple platforms, including VMware ESX.

“Both companies have made investments that provide customers with better performance, scalability, timekeeping, and security when using SUSE Linux Enterprise Server in VMware virtual machines or for developing virtual appliances. As more and more customers seek to achieve full virtualisation, including mission-critical applications such as SAP, we expect our collaboration to yield increasing value,” said Parag Patel, vice president of alliances for VMware.

Novell also announced a broad collaboration agreement with VMware to deliver SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) as a fully-supported and optimised guest operating system running on VMware ESX. The two companies have signed a cooperative support agreement that enables Novell to provide enhanced support for customers running SUSE Linux Enterprise Server as a guest on VMware ESX. In addition to Novell’s customary virtualisation-friendly subscription model, Novell is offering a limited time pricing promotion that gives an additional financial incentive to customers seeking to benefit from the companies’ collaboration.

“With enhanced support for SLES running as a fully optimised guest on VMware ESX, our offer of a free evaluation redistribution of SLES through VMware Studio, and our joint support for SLES-based virtual appliances, we now have a unique, market-leading offer for our customers,” said Markus Rex, Novell vice president and general manager Open Platform Solutions.

In addition, Novell, VMware and SAP are collaborating to deliver support for SAP customers migrating from Unix to VMware virtualised SUSE Linux Enterprise. Launching 18 March via a joint webinar, this solution meets the demand for a cost effective and agile solution to support core business systems.