https://www.channelfutures.com/wp-content/themes/channelfutures_child/assets/images/logo/footer-new-logo.png
  • Home
  • Technologies
    • Back
    • Analytics
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Cloud
    • Data Centers
    • Desktop
    • IoT
    • Mobility
    • Networking
    • Open Source
    • RMM/PSA
    • Security
    • Virtualization
    • Voice/Connectivity
  • Strategy
    • Back
    • Best Practices
    • Business Models
    • Channel 101
    • Channel Programs
    • Channel Research
    • Digital Transformation
    • Diversity & Inclusion
    • Leadership
    • Mergers and Acquisitions
    • Sales & Marketing
    • Specialty Practices
  • MSSP Insider
    • Back
    • Business of Security
    • Cloud and Edge
    • Endpoint
    • Network
    • People and Careers
    • Training and Policies
  • MSP 501
    • Back
    • 2020 MSP 501 Rankings
    • 2020 Hot 101 Rankings
    • 2020 MSP 501 Report
  • Intelligence
    • Back
    • Our Sponsors
    • From the Industry
    • Content Resources
    • COVID-19 Partner Help
    • Galleries
    • Podcasts
    • Reports
    • Videos
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
  • EMEA
  • Awards
    • Back
    • Excellence in Digital Services
    • 2020 MSP 501
    • Top Gun 51
  • Events
    • Back
    • CP Conference & Expo
    • Channel Partners Evolution
    • Channel Evolution Europe
    • Channel Partners Event Coverage
    • Webinars
  • Channel Mentor
    • Back
    • Channel Market Intelligence
    • Channel Educational Series
Channel Futures
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Home
  • Technologies
    • Back
    • Analytics
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Cloud
    • Data Centers
    • Desktop
    • IoT
    • Mobility
    • Networking
    • Open Source
    • RMM/PSA
    • Security
    • Virtualization
    • Voice/Connectivity
  • Strategy
    • Back
    • Best Practices
    • Business Models
    • Channel 101
    • Channel Programs
    • Channel Research
    • Digital Transformation
    • Diversity & Inclusion
    • Leadership
    • Mergers and Acquisitions
    • Sales & Marketing
    • Specialty Practices
  • MSSP Insider
    • Back
    • Business of Security
    • Cloud and Edge
    • Endpoint
    • Network
    • People and Careers
    • Training and Policies
  • MSP 501
    • Back
    • 2020 MSP 501 Rankings
    • 2020 Hot 101 Rankings
    • 2020 MSP 501 Report
  • Intelligence
    • Back
    • Our Sponsors
    • From the Industry
    • Content Resources
    • COVID-19 Partner Help
    • Galleries
    • Podcasts
    • Reports
    • Videos
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
  • EMEA
  • Awards
    • Back
    • Excellence in Digital Services
    • 2020 MSP 501
    • Top Gun 51
  • Events
    • Back
    • CP Conference & Expo
    • Channel Partners Evolution
    • Channel Evolution Europe
    • Channel Partners Event Coverage
    • Webinars
  • Channel Mentor
    • Back
    • Channel Market Intelligence
    • Channel Educational Series
    • Newsletter
  • REGISTER
  • MSPs
  • VARs / SIs
  • Digital Service Providers
  • Cloud Service Providers
  • CHANNEL PARTNERS ONLINE
 Channel Futures

Open Source


Novell: The Avis of Open Source?

  • Written by The VAR Guy 1
  • November 12, 2007

Whenever The VAR Guy hears chatter about Novell, he thinks of Avis — the Number 2 rental car company that proudly declares “We try harder” as it pursues the market leader (Hertz, er, Red Hat). Hmmm. Is 2008 the year that all of Novell’s hard work in the open source market finally pushes the company into the fast lane? UBS, the Wall Street analyst firm seems to think so. But The VAR Guy isn’t so sure.

First, let’s start with the good news. UBS has upgraded Novell shares to a “buy” from a “neutral” rating, based on an analysis of three key factors (cash on hand, legacy software sales and Novell’s newer business units). Barron’s mentioned the upgrade today. And The VAR Guy has been quick to note that Novell is successfully pushing its desktop SuSE Linux business deeper into China.

Wonderful. But Red Hat still commands overwhelming mind share and growing market share in the open source sector. In fact, company officials have boldly stated that they expect Red Hat to command more than 50 percent of the server market by 2015.

Red Hat may regret such statements if upstarts like Canonical (promoter of Ubuntu Linux) gain momentum or if another disruptive technology comes along. But the market share prediction also reinforces that Red Hat has the upper hand against Novell.

Full disclosure: The VAR Guy owns a handful of Red Hat shares and a Linux PC running Ubuntu. He’s never owned Novell shares. And he hasn’t run a Novell operating system since Personal NetWare took over his 386 PC in 1994.

Tags: Cloud Service Providers Digital Service Providers MSPs VARs/SIs Open Source

Related


  • Cloud Roundup
    Judge: AWS Does Not Have to Reinstate Parler
    Plus, this cloud news roundup includes a new board member at SADA, and certifications for Ensono and Navisite.
  • cloud data
    Your Cloud Data Is Protected, But Is It Portable?
    Why flexibility and containerization are the new must-haves for cloud data.
  • Spinoff Company
    IBM Names CEO of New Managed Services Spinoff
    The former IBM CFO is well-known to those within NewCo.
  • JEDI lightsaber
    AWS Still Chasing JEDI, Blasts Trump Administration Again
    AWS still wants to get JEDI from Microsoft. And there’s a new alliance in town. Plus, an update from iXsystems.

6 comments

  1. Avatar Jim Stallworth November 12, 2007 @ 8:15 pm
    Reply

    It’s not fair to call Novell the Avis of open source. I’m not sure Novell “tries harder” than Red Hat. But I do think suse linux performs better than red hat linux. and unlike your coverage, I do see value in the Novell-Microsoft relationship.

  2. Avatar Doug November 12, 2007 @ 8:17 pm
    Reply

    The Avis approach worked as an ad campaign, not as an actual business strategy. Case in point (from http://www.duhmagazine.com):

    Republicans struggling to rebuild ‘damaged’ brand: After considering a revival of the original Avis ad campaign “We’re Number 2”, analysts pointed out that the slogan does not work well under a two party system.

  3. Avatar MikeFM November 14, 2007 @ 2:44 am
    Reply

    I’ve never been a fan of SuSE and have been even more repulsed by the behavior of Novell. All my servers will continue to run Fedora, Debian, or Gentoo. If Novell wants my consideration they’ll have to try harder to be a good member of the community and not be in bed with the enemy.

  4. Avatar Toni November 14, 2007 @ 4:18 am
    Reply

    RedHat/Fedora and Ubuntu suck golf balls through a garden hose!! So far SLES and openSuSE have my vote!!

  5. Avatar Boycott Novell raquo; A Quick Word on Trademarks November 14, 2007 @ 6:28 am
    Reply

    […] and speaking of Avis, Joe published the following article yesterday: Whenever The VAR Guy hears chatter about Novell, he thinks of Avis ” the Number 2 rental car […]

  6. Avatar Anton Wurscht November 14, 2007 @ 9:27 pm
    Reply

    Novell has the smarter CEO

Leave a comment Cancel reply

-or-

Log in with your Channel Futures account

Alternatively, post a comment by completing the form below:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Content

  • Wipro: Why an Open Source Software Risk Assessment Is Critical
  • Dell Technologies Expands PowerProtect Portfolio, Embraces Data Protection Priorities
  • Wipro, Navisite, 2nd Watch Bolster Cloud Service Portfolios
  • IBM Cloud for Telecommunications to Rely on Integrators Right Away

Galleries

View all

New, Changing Partner Programs: AWS, Tech Data, Avaya, Verizon

January 11, 2021

Industry Perspectives

View all

Partners Share Their 2021 Goals—and Plans for Achieving Them

January 26, 2021

The Importance of Being Security-Centric

January 22, 2021

Cyberattacks: Threat Hunters Conquer Unpredictability with 3 Measures

January 21, 2021

Webinars

View all

Your Network Perimeter Has Changed

February 18, 2021

In Case of Emergency: The Importance of Proactive Critical Event Management

February 23, 2021

How Managed Hosting Providers Thrive with the Alternative Cloud

February 24, 2021

White Papers

View all

Product Brief: Kaseya VSA Integrated Workflows with BMS and IT Glue

January 26, 2021

Why Subscription Business Model

January 15, 2021

The Ultimate MSP Guide to Sales Efficiency

January 14, 2021

Upcoming Events

View all

Channel Partners Virtual

March 2, 2021 - March 4, 2021

Channel Partners Conference & Expo

November 1, 2021 - November 4, 2021

Videos and Fastchats

View all

FASTCHAT: How SOAR Eliminates Security Challenges and Elevates Service Provider Revenues

January 6, 2021

Happy Holidays from Channel Partners & Channel Futures!

December 21, 2020

FASTCHAT: How Old, Unpatched Technologies Are Creating New Security Threats for MSPs and Their Customers

December 3, 2020

Twitter

ChannelFutures

Partners share 2021 goals and tips to achieve them. @ConnectWise #SMB #cybersecurity #MSP dlvr.it/RrPzKJ https://t.co/gBsXooSnnB

January 27, 2021
ChannelFutures

Product Brief: Kaseya VSA Integrated Workflows with BMS and IT Glue dlvr.it/RrPJWz https://t.co/qFvS3o0XIZ

January 26, 2021
ChannelFutures

.@SaaSAlerts_hires @KaseyaCorp vet as new CEO. #MSP #cybersecurity dlvr.it/RrNyQx https://t.co/XzKxQbmrhr

January 26, 2021
ChannelFutures

.@untangle_inc partners say #cybersecurity spending will increase this year due to media coverage of cyberattacks.… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

January 26, 2021
ChannelFutures

Native @MicrosoftTeams integration coming to @SAP apps. dlvr.it/RrKz34 https://t.co/tM7SQaaOHl

January 26, 2021
ChannelFutures

#Biden, @CompTIA both launch big #cybersecurity efforts (separately). dlvr.it/RrKr54 https://t.co/hXEw2CGUMZ

January 25, 2021
ChannelFutures

.@HPE appoints new head of worldwide distribution. #cloud dlvr.it/RrKJLT https://t.co/FW0OUTDJFF

January 25, 2021
ChannelFutures

Following its acquisition of SAP specialist Pioneer B1, new @SapphireSystems GM reveals "buy and build" growth stra… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

January 25, 2021

MSSP Insider

Newsletters and Updates

Sign up for The Channel Report, Channel Futures Update, MSP 501 Newsletter and more.

Live Channel Events

Get the latest information on the next industry-leading Channel Partners event.

Channel Partners Online

Want more? Find more channel news and analysis on our sister site, Channel Partners.

Media Kit And Advertising

Want to reach our audience? Access our media kit

DISCOVER MORE FROM INFORMA TECH

  • Channel Partners Online
  • Channel Partners Events
  • MSP 501
  • MSSP Insider
  • IoT World Today
  • Webhostingtalk

WORKING WITH US

  • Contact
  • About us
  • Advertise
  • Newsletter

FOLLOW Channel Futures ON SOCIAL

  • Privacy
  • CCPA: “Do Not Sell My Data”
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms
Copyright © 2021 Informa PLC. Informa PLC is registered in England and Wales with company number 8860726 whose registered and Head office is 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG.
This website uses cookies, including third party ones, to allow for analysis of how people use our website in order to improve your experience and our services. By continuing to use our website, you agree to the use of such cookies. Click here for more information on our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy.
X