Speaking at this year's CeBit conference in Hanover, Germany, Steve Solazzo, Vice President of IBM's Linux strategy, declared that although IBM is currently working with a limited number of worldwide distributors, the company's strategy is to team up with leading local partners. He also explained that these "local partners include MandrakeSoft, which is strong in France."

"IBM Linux-Mandrake xSeries certification represents a crucial step in MandrakeSoft's drive to grow Linux server marketshare in the Small & Medium Sized Enterprise sector" explains Bob Winslow, VP WW Sales & Marketing at MandrakeSoft. "In less than two years, we have become a recognised leader in the Linux desktop market, both in Europe and in the US. Partnership with key players such as LOGIX will provide a powerful entry into the SME server market, where Linux offers a highly attractive alternative to proprietary environments."

"In response to the fast-growing Linux server market, Logix welcomes the opportunity of parteneering with with IBM and MandrakeSoft, to offer Linux server-appliance type solutions" says Julien Peronneau, Director of Marketing & Strategy at LOGIX. "This offer is based on IBM xSeries running preloaded Linux-Mandrake Corporate at highly competitive prices. It complements earlier initiatives, including the launch of our Linux Training Centre in January. We will be marketing the xSeries bundled offer in France and Belgium to begin with."

About MandrakeSoft:

Mandrakesoft provides a trusted interface between users of information technology and open source developers. The company offers customers in the small office, home office (SoHo), small and medium size enterprise, government and educational sectors a set of GNU Linux and Open-Source software and related services, user-friendly and highly competitive information technologies at a very attractive total cost of ownership.

The Linux-Mandrake distribution, which became the leader in US retail sales last year (PC Data), received the awards for « Best Product of the Year » and « Best Linux-Distribution/Server » at LinuxWorld Expo 99, as well as the PC Answers Platinum Award in April 2000, the Linux Magazine Editor's Choice Award in September 2000 and the Chip Magazine « Best Technique and Winner of the Test » in December 2000. Please visit the Web site, https://mandriva.com for more information.

About LOGIX:

As Europe's leading provider of e-business solutions for IT professionals, LOGIX provides support to over 2,000 IT services companies, VARs, ISPs/ASPs, web agencies and web integrators, in developing their technical and commercial offerings.

On the basis of its solid partnerships and leading-edge expertise, LOGIX can offer total, integrated technical solutions, along with training and services. This has helped establish LOGIX as the leading provider of offerings from such major companies as IBM, CITRIX, SCO or ORACLE. This position also places it among Europe's leading players in providing B2B solutions for e-business.