Centeris Selected as a Novell Market Start Program Partner; Adds Support in Likewise 2.0 for SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10.

BELLEVUE, Wash. -- Centeris(R) Corp., a leading provider of Linux(R) server management and interoperability software, today announced that it has been selected to join Novell's Market Start program, which connects businesses to Novell-certified applications from proven commercial open-source and Linux-based software vendors. Centeris recently announced a new version of its flagship product, Likewise(TM) 2.0, and among the new features is added support for SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 from Novell and support for 64-bit versions of Linux. Likewise 2.0 makes it easy and cost-effective for organizations to manage Linux servers in a Windows environment.

The Market Start program leverages Novell's PartnerNet and YES certification programs, offering Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) access to critical technical information and resources necessary to develop their applications for SUSE Linux Enterprise Server. The partner program is designed to promote open source innovation and help accelerate open source adoption by giving companies, such as Centeris, access to Novell's worldwide sales and marketing channels.

"We appreciate the opportunity to work with Novell to introduce Likewise 2.0 around the world to Novell's growing base of SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 users," said Barry Crist, chief executive officer of Centeris. "The ability to simultaneously and seamlessly manage Windows and SUSE Linux Enterprise on the same network provides IT administrators with tremendous flexibility in an era where many companies have computers running both operating systems. While Linux requires a certain set of skills to manage, Likewise allows IT departments to use their current staffing resources to manage both Windows and Linux servers without additional training or expertise. Novell's Market Start program has proven to be a successful partnership opportunity for many open source software companies, and it helps to place us in an advantageous position as more companies look to open source solutions for their enterprise."

Centeris Likewise is a server management solution that makes Windows and Linux work well together, reducing the costs of running a mixed network. System administrators can utilize easy-to-use management tools to configure popular Linux server roles, simplify the day-to-day management of Linux servers, and easily integrate Linux with a Windows network including integration with Microsoft Active Directory.

Likewise 2.0 builds on the award-winning Likewise Management Suite and provides the same ease of installation and ease of use, providing immediate value to system administrators managing a mixed network.

"While adoption of Linux continues to spread quickly throughout enterprises around the world, we recognize that most companies are not going to abandon their Windows servers, so it is important that organizations have a way to effectively manage both on the same network," said John Beuchert, director of open source marketing programs at Novell. "Centeris has a unique technology that will make it easier for organizations to manage SUSE Linux Enterprise and even encourage organizations to experiment with enterprise adoption of open source software. Our Market Start program will provide Centeris with a number of opportunities to reach a large group of Linux adopters that can truly benefit from Likewise 2.0."

About Centeris

Centeris provides server management software that makes Windows and Linux work well together, reducing the costs of running a mixed network. Centeris Corp. is a Bellevue, Wash.-based software company funded by leading venture capital firms Trinity Ventures, Intel Capital and Ignition Partners. Centeris has experienced management and engineering teams in place and is led by senior executives from technology companies such as Microsoft, F5 Networks, Novell, EMC and Mercury. For more information, visit www.centeris.com.