"TechWorx will be offering Mandrake Clustering 32/64-bit solutions, Mandrake-based network solutions and appliances and develop Mandrake Certification programs for systems engineers and administrators. This alliance provides increased market opportunities for Independent Software Vendors (ISVs), Value Added Resellers (VARs), Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), and channel partners in the Asia-Pacific region to offer industrial strength, affordable Linux-based desktops and server solutions," said Moonshi, CEO of TechWorx.

"Mandrake Linux is gaining increasing popularity around the globe. It is one of the most international Linux distributions, sold in 50,000 copies per each version worldwide. Some 4,000,000 clients use our products and services. Each day 250,000 visitors come to our web sites and our newsletters reach 1,200,000 accounts while the MandrakeClub has more than 15,000 adherents." said François Bancilhon, CEO of MandrakeSoft.

The Open Source Challenge seminar ( www.opensourcechallenge.org) held in Singapore on October 2003 is an event how TechWorx is promoting Linux and Open Source Software among Singapore secondary schools. About 136 schools and their IT Head of Departments were invited, to find out how they can apply and deploy Linux in their schools. "TechWorx will be assisting these schools to set up a Linux Lab using Mandrake Linux as the preferred Linux distribution," said Moonshi. "The students will benefit from the bundled open source education software, development tools, media entertainment applications, graphics manipulation software, office productivity suites that come with the Mandrake Linux distribution. This will help the schools to reduce software licenses costs greatly, and increase the ratio of computers to students".

MandrakeSoft added that with a graphical installation process, Mandrake Linux offers the most advanced and efficient hardware detection for different hardware. A graphical approach to system administration, in addition to the command line, makes Mandrake Linux the operating system which takes integration and management of a user interface the furthest to dispel the image of a Linux system managed only via command line or text mode. Perfect integration of user-friendly graphical environments such as KDE and GNOME provide comfort and ease-of-use for consumers and corporate desktop users. Mandrake Linux offers several pre-configured levels of security. A user can therefore choose a desired degree of security specifically for their computer, and can also resort to a single panel to administer the entire system through the Mandrake Control Center. A computer running the Mandrake Linux operating system can be as easy to use as a computer which uses Windows or Mac OS -- a fact which has been confirmed by many IT publications. CNET.com has awarded Mandrake Linux 8.0 as their "Editor's Choice"1 saying: "New users, especially those looking for a quick and easy alternative to Windows or the Mac OS, will be hard pressed to find a smoother, easier transition to the world of Linux." With Mandrake Linux 9.2, MandrakeSoft has made it better.
Asia is emerging as a key battleground for the open-source movement. The Japan-China-Korea partnership is the latest initiative to promote Linux in Asia. "In November 2003, Singapore hosted the second annual Asia Open Source Symposium, where 20 Asian countries discussed closer collaboration in standardization, localization and interoperability of Linux software," added Moonshi. The year 2003 has seen many major announcements of major Linux initiatives which has become a daily occurrence in Asia. (LinuxInsider.com)2

Linux is gaining popularity in the Asian government markets, as it improves government services, lower costs through workload consolidation, and expedites results through technology innovation, which leads to higher citizen satisfaction. The governments see open-source software as a fast track to the development of a domestic software industry, one that is not beholden to foreign licenses. (Linuxforu.com)3

"Implementing Linux in the Asia-Pacific region is becoming a mainline, fast growing activity which is why TechWorx will be targeting at the small and medium-sized businesses ranging from 20 to 1,000 employees," said Moonshi. "We will be offering a complete suite of desktop and network solutions using Mandrake Linux as the base operating system as Linux usage is widely varied due to its flexibility in running from desktops to big servers. There are emerging trends of Linux solutions in the areas of server consolidation, Linux clusters, Internet and network related workloads and end-to-end customer solutions".

MandrakeSoft explained that the increasing collaboration between Asian countries is giving Linux added momentum and stronger foothold in the Asia-Pacific region. By partnering with TechWorx, MandrakeSoft is hoping to get a slice of the growing Linux pie.

MandrakeSoft will partner with TechWorx to bring to ISVs, VARs, OEMs, and channel partners in the Asia-Pacific region a complete and attractive Linux platform to make their customers successful, and maximize their profit margins. Any VAR and OEM hardware whom is interested for can call TechWorx at +65 848 8036.

1. CNET's Editor's Choice: https://mandriva.com/company/about/awards
2. Linuxinsider.com: http://www.linuxinsider.com/perl/story/32421.html Linux Revolution: Asian Countries Push Open Source
3. LinuxForYou: http://www.linuxforu.com Linux is gaining popularity in the Asian government markets TechWorx & MandrakeSoft Announce Linux Distribution & Solutions Partnership for Asia-Pacific

About MandrakeSoft
MandrakeSoft provides a trusted interface between users of information technology and open technologists. The company offers its enterprise, government and educational customers a set of GNU Linux and Open-Source software and related services, user-friendly and highly competitive information technologies. In addition, MandrakeSoft offers technologists committed to open software and courseware a trusted channel to offer their services. The company has technologists in over 20 countries and is listed on the Paris Euronext Marché Libre (Euroclear code: 4477PA) and on the US OTC Market (Symbol: MDKFF). For more information on Mandrake Linux 9.x or any of their other Linux-based products please visit: https://mandriva.com.
MandrakeSoft press contact: Gaël Duval

About TechWorx Solutions
TechWorx Solutions Pte Ltd, an Asian-based Linux Solutions Provider, provides reliable and dependable open-source IT solutions to solve business challenges facing the small, medium and large enterprises including the healthcare, education, financials, and life-sciences verticals. The company operations include applications development, systems integration, professional services and maintenance contracts, in addition to an array of services such as system and network management. Furthermore, TechWorx will be starting new operations with several key partners in Asia/Pacific to provide Linux training services, distribute Mandrake Linux and produce low-cost network solutions for the small, medium and large enterprises market by making their existing solutions into products that can be distributed and resell by systems integration companies and VAR while they focus on product development and customizations. For more information on TechWorx and their products and services, please visit: http://www.techworx.net