Is your agency considering open source technology to reduce IT costs and improve flexibility? Do you need to evolve toward open source systems without disrupting your current operations?

Novell supports the shift to open source technologies by delivering a suite of open-source products, enterprise services and trusted expertise.

Market research firm IDC predicts Linux adoption will increase at a compound annual growth rate of 14 percent through 2007, making it one of the fastest-growing operating systems in the IT industry.

Driving the open source trend are dramatically lower ownership costs and greater flexibility compared with proprietary technologies. For instance, Linux runs on everything from mainframes, to laptops, to PDAs -- and it has extensive support among major hardware manufacturers. That makes it easier for agencies to select equipment best suited to their business needs.

Unlike proprietary solutions, many commercial versions of Linux eliminate per-seat or per-CPU charges. Agencies can purchase a single copy of the software and install it on all their computers, resulting in substantial savings. Linux also tends to use computing resources more efficiently than proprietary operating systems, so organizations can support more users with less hardware. And Linux runs on Intel or proprietary platforms, so agencies save money by deploying Linux on less costly servers.

Open source solutions such as Linux eliminate reliance on a single vendor, giving agencies greater control over their IT environments. An open source strategy enables governments to choose from a broad range of suppliers, which promotes competition, innovation and reliability.

But taking full advantage of open source technology demands proven products, practical expertise and a clear implementation strategy. Novell delivers technology and services that allow agencies to implement open source solutions safely, incrementally and cost-effectively.

Novell^® Nterprise^TM Linux Services combine the benefits of Linux with a powerful set of enterprise services.The solution includes personal file management, directory services, print services, Internet messaging and calendaring, system management and Web integration. Several recent acquisitions have further strengthened the company's open source capabilities. By adding SUSE^® LINUX, a leading version of the Linux operating system, and Ximian Red Carpet Enterprise, an advanced Linux management and maintenance application, Novell provides an unparalleled set of open source solutions to government customers.

The Novell commitment to open standards means these open source solutions cleanly integrate with the company's secure identity management, integration and portal solutions. Besides technology, Novell delivers the know-how to help government agencies evaluate open source solutions and guide them through a successful migration. Novell employs one of the industry's largest staffs of Linux experts. It also has a broad network of implementation, consulting and training partners. The company's array of resources augments government's own IT expertise, allowing agencies to implement open source strategies that deliver quick return on investment.

Novell experts work with agencies to find immediate opportunities for open source implementation, and they help government officials map out a practical progression for increasing their use of open source software in the future.

Open source solutions offer significant benefits for government, particularly in the current economic climate. And those solutions continue to draw widespread attention as agencies attempt to strengthen their IT capabilities while cutting costs. Novell helps governments increase their use of open source applications and technologies without disrupting ongoing operations.