IBM offers small business Linux suite

IBM has launched a Linux-based software suite for small businesses that includes applications for messaging, website creation and data management.

The IBM Small Business Suite for Linux is available from leading Linux distributors such as Caldera, Red Hat, SuSE and TurboLinux, and includes IBM's DB2 Universal Database, WebSphere Application Server and Lotus Domino. For ease of set-up the suite also includes an installation program.

Scott Handy, director of Linux solutions marketing at IBM software, said: "This offering provides small businesses with everything they need to do serious ebusiness on Linux."

Keith Matthews, an independent consultant specialising in Linux, said the package would be "extremely useful" to the minority of small businesses who manage their own web servers.

"Most small businesses hand over their web servers to outfits such as hosting firms that handle their management," he said. "However, this package provides a useful statement of confidence. Resellers and consultants can go into client sites and provide a suite that can do the same things as Windows 2000 and SQL Server - but which works on Linux."

The suite is available now at ShopIBM for a suggested retail price of $499.