The new solution, IBM Retail Environment for SUSE LINUX, features a new SUSE LINUX-based product for retail, including a complete operating system and management solution for point of sale (POS) systems. It combines this optimized Linux platform for retailers with IBM SurePOS, IBM eServer and IBM middleware to provide retailers with a scalable, secure operating environment across the entire retail enterprise, all at a low total cost of ownership.

The new solution also delivers a standards-based, stable and secure infrastructure and a centralized management system for the retail market, bringing reliability and manageability across remotely deployed POS systems. It will be available in the first half of 2004.

"Point of sale is the moment of truth in retailing, so retailers want to make sure they have the reliability and stability for which IBM is famous in retail POS. At the same time, retailers clearly are seeing the benefits of open-source Linux", stated Tom Peterson, general manager, IBM Retail Store Solutions. "This new IBM solution gives retailers the stability and reliability of IBM POS, along with the benefits of Linux in lowering their total cost of ownership and increasing flexibility. With IBM providing the support around SUSE LINUX at the POS, retailers can focus on their core business rather than having to take over management of their POS operating systems."

IBM Retail Environment for SUSE LINUX is a turn-key system designed specifically for retailers. Combining IBM's retail expertise and Linux commitment with SUSE's Linux leadership, the two companies will be working together to meet and drive new requirements to benefit retailers.

The new solution features simplified installation and configuration, via four optimized Linux OS images for point-of-sale terminals, and an infrastructure for centralized management and distribution of the software. By being tailored for retail, the solution reduces the complexity of the Linux operating system for retailers' in-store POS solutions. In addition, the IBM offering provides a single point of contact for support in terms of operating system, drivers, and hardware.

Linux can scale across multiple hardware platforms across the retailer's entire enterprise, allowing retailers to consolidate their skilled IT resources and not have to devote resources toward defining, managing and providing ongoing support and maintenance themselves for a distinct POS operating system. Support and maintenance pricing, as well as the technical capabilities of the solution, are designed to scale for the retailer's environment, thus supporting the concept of "retail on demand." For example, the solution can be tailored from a small console-based system to a feature-rich Java and browser-capable system depending on the needs of the retailer.

The new solution also offers investment protection for retailers already running IBM POS systems, as it can be deployed on selected existing IBM terminals. It should be particularly attractive for retailers who are currently using older DOS operating systems and need the ability to add new applications and services that require a new operating system platform.