SHI International Selects SUSE Linux Enterprise as its Linux-based option on SHI Cloud

NUREMBERG, Germany, and SOMERSET, N.J., May 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- SUSE and SHI International Corp. today announced SHI Cloud, a next-generation infrastructure-as-a-service offering designed for IT organizations, will offer SUSE® Linux Enterprise Server as its premier Linux-based operating system.

IT organizations of all sizes will have the ability to run SUSE Linux Enterprise Server on SHI Cloud, paying only for the hours they use.  SUSE Linux Enterprise Server will be available across SHI Cloud's secure, high-performance and industrial-grade Managed Private, Private and Multi-Tenant cloud offerings.  In addition, customers will have access to SUSE's most current security patches, bug fixes and new features so they can keep their SUSE Linux Enterprise Server VMs running on SHI Cloud's innovative vCore platform up to date.

The combination of the flexible, pay-as-you-go SHI Cloud offerings and SUSE Linux Enterprise Server helps customers easily adapt their existing IT infrastructure solutions for use in the cloud.  SUSE Linux Enterprise Server delivers the proven reliability, interoperability and performance customers need in order to confidently run mission-critical workloads in a cloud environment. And with over 9,200 application certifications, SUSE Linux Enterprise Server has the broadest independent software vendor (ISV) support among enterprise Linux operating systems, ensuring application compatibility from the data center to the cloud.

"Our customers are interested in the cost savings, business agility, disaster recovery and right-sizing on demand benefits of cloud, but don't want to rebuild all of their applications just to take advantage of enterprise-capable solutions," said Henry Fastert, chief technologist and managing partner of Enterprise Solution Services at SHI. "SHI Cloud is a logical, transparent extension of an organization's infrastructure that doesn't require replacing existing systems. This is why SHI has chosen to work with open standards based partners with deep industry expertise such as SUSE in order to help customers utilize the industry's best available technologies to build unique clouds that support business needs."

"We knew about the cost and efficiency benefits of cloud computing," said Jeff Ferguson, CEO of LABVANTAGE. "But when we looked at the offerings from major vendors, we found we had to either rebuild or reengineer our systems to accommodate our enterprise requirements. With SHI, we're able to quickly move our existing environment to the cloud and gain the benefits without rebuilding our applications or infrastructure. SHI's technical approach and 'easy to do business with' culture made them an easy choice for LABVANTAGE." 

SHI Cloud Joins Elite Group of Cloud Providers that Work with SUSE

Through the SUSE Cloud Program, SUSE makes it easy for cloud vendors to offer differentiated services that speed customer acquisition.  Many of today's top global cloud providers offer SUSE Linux Enterprise Server to help IT organizations deliver mission-critical IT services efficiently and cost-effectively in cloud environments.  In addition to SHI Cloud, cloud providers that have joined the SUSE Cloud Program include Dell, Amazon Web Services, Fujitsu, IBM, Intel, 1&1, Tencent, SGI and Vodacom Business.

"SUSE helps companies run their businesses more efficiently, increasing resource utilization and reducing risk," said Michael Miller, vice president of global alliances and marketing, SUSE. "We're pleased SHI Cloud has chosen SUSE as its Linux partner to help customers accelerate their cloud programs."

Availability:

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server is available through SHI Cloud. Go to http://www.shicloud.com/Page/SupportPricing.html for pricing.

About SUSE

SUSE is a leading provider of enterprise Linux solutions that help companies increase agility, reduce cost and manage complexity.  With a portfolio centered on SUSE Linux Enterprise, the most interoperable platform for mission-critical computing, SUSE enables organizations to confidently deliver computing services across physical, virtual and cloud environments.  With our award-winning products and ecosystem of partnerships, SUSE solutions empower thousands of organizations around the world. For more information, visit us at www.suse.com.

Copyright © 2012 Novell, Inc. All rights reserved.  SUSE is a registered trademark of Novell Inc. in the United States and other countries.  All third-party trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

About SHI

Founded in 1989, SHI International Corp. is a $4 billion+ global provider of technology products and services. Driven by the industry's most experienced and stable sales force and backed by software volume licensing experts, hardware procurement specialists, and certified IT services professionals, SHI delivers custom IT solutions to Corporate, Enterprise, Public Sector, and Academic customers. With over 1,800 employees worldwide, SHI is the largest Minority/Woman Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) in the U.S. and is ranked 19th among Everything Channel's VAR 500 list of North American IT solution providers. For more information, visit http://www.shi.com/.

SOURCE SUSE