This new contract enables MandrakeSoft to provide Linux software and related services to an increasing number of government agencies. The adoption of Mandrake Linux is expected to have a powerful impact in helping to increase the quality of government while also providing MandrakeSoft an important boost in status.

The UGAP contract is guaranteed for a two-year period. UGAP is the French procurement agency for more than 28,000 public establishments. The agency also provides services to private corporations that have public service missions. UGAP works with public establishments (such as schools, universities, town halls, research groups, etc.) to reduce costs by offering large-volume purchasing and by providing access to special products & services with partners such as MandrakeSoft.

Beyond the competitive pricing and quality products offered by MandrakeSoft, government agencies also benefit from these key factors:

• The opportunity to have tailor-made software solutions

• Adherence to open standards

• Speed of implementation

• Comprehensive training plans and support & services for the products

The range of products and services that have been selected include:

• Mandrake Linux ProSuite 8.x for deployment of Internet and Intranet services

• Mandrake Linux PowerPack & Standard 8.x for workstations

• Annual support

• Personalized training

A priority for MandrakeSoft

Reaching these public markets, particularly the educational system, has long been a priority for MandrakeSoft. Indeed, governments have been very supportive of the idea of adopting Linux solutions. Open Source products are attractive because of the accessibility to the source code, plus there are no recurring licensing fees. Many public agencies currently deploy Mandrake Linux products, such as the French Ministry of Culture, the French Air Force, France Telecom, and many hospitals and Universities.

Jacques Le Marois, CEO of MandrakeSoft, adds: " MandrakeSoft's international presence is already well known, but it is key for us to strongly succeed in France. Our geographical proximity and the evolution of our professional offerings now allow us to deliver high quality products and services through UGAP to many public administrations, which also gives us a solid local foothold.

About MandrakeSoft

MandrakeSoft provides a trusted interface between users of information technology and open source developers. The company offers its enterprise, government and educational customers a set of GNU Linux and Open-Source software and related services, and 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 traded on Paris Euronext Marché Libre (Euroclear code: 4477.PA; Reuters code: MAKE.PA) and the US OTC market (stock symbol MDKFF). "Born on the Internet" in late 1998, MandrakeSoft established headquarters in the U.S.A., Montreal, and France. Please visit the Web site, https://mandriva.com for more information.

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