Oracle's unbreakable Linux plan

Stephen Shankland, CNET News.com CNET News

Published: 27 Mar 2003 10:10 GMT

Oracle is welcoming third-party software companies into the Linux fold, offering money for development and promotion to those with products that augment the database giant's efforts to back the Unix-like operating system.

Oracle sells database software as well as higher-level programs for tasks such as tracking customers or keeping financial records.

But software from the company is also used in conjunction with other companies' programs. It is those companies that Oracle is seeking to woo into the Linux camp, the company said on Wednesday.

Under the program announced on Tuesday, the Oracle-based software collections will be available through the company's network of sales partners under a "powered by Oracle unbreakable Linux" brand that certifies the software packages are compatible with each other.

Oracle will help generate sales leads, train companies in the use of Linux, provide marketing funds and help with software development.

Through a marketing plan called unbreakable Linux, Oracle has signed support agreements with top Linux seller Red Hat and with UnitedLinux, a Linux consortium that includes No. 2 seller SuSE.

For a round-up of the latest tech business coverage, see the Business News Section.

Let the editors know what you think in the Mailroom.