PR: Ximian Y2Pay Program Offers Linux Alternative for Those Facing MS Licensing Deadline

Ximian, Inc. has announced a special pricing program, called
“Y2Pay” to provide companies with a Linux alternative to
Windows-based desktops and applications as the July 31st deadline
for new Microsoft licensing programs approaches.

As companies grapple with the looming decision to commit to the
multi-year software costs and compliance burdens of the new
Microsoft Software Assurance plan, the Y2Pay promotion is designed
to help end-users and corporate customers affordably begin the
migration to lower-cost Linux-based desktop PCs. Through August
15th, 2002, customers may purchase Ximian Desktop Professional
Edition for Linux, a complete desktop environment and suite of
productivity applications including Sun StarOffice 6.0 and Ximian
Evolution, at a savings of up to 25% at www.ximian.com.

“The clock is ticking toward the Y2Pay deadline of July 31, and
many corporate customers, already facing tight IT budgets, are
increasingly anxious about new Microsoft licensing costs that, much
in the same way as their Y2K spending, will bring them no benefit,”
said David Patrick, president and CEO of Ximian. “As a result, we
are offering a very simple, streamlined way for companies to choose
and evaluate Linux as a more cost-effective option for some user
populations. Our solutions like Ximian Desktop Professional Edition
and Ximian Connector for Microsoft Exchange let companies deploy
Linux workstations that can fit seamlessly into Microsoft-based
environment. Ximian is a viable alternative to Y2Pay.”

“IDC’s research finds that some Windows users are concerned
enough with Microsoft’s Licensing 6.0 program that they are
evaluating alternatives,” said Al Gillen, research director, system
software at IDC. “Ximian Evolution along with StarOffice 6.0 offers
an interesting turn-key desktop solution that could serve as an
alternative for companies intent on a move away from
Microsoft.”

The emergence of a Linux desktop alternative for many users
comes just as Microsoft is in the process of implementing major
changes to its licensing policies. In the past, products such as
Microsoft Office were offered for a one-time license fee, with
reduced prices for subsequent upgrades when purchased. Now,
Microsoft seeks to have companies commit to multi-year upgrades up
front, regardless of whether the customer in fact needs the upgrade
for all the systems covered under the agreement.

The result for many customers is the prospect of increased costs
and confusion regarding program policies and compliance
requirements. According to a recent Gartner survey, the new
licensing could increase corporate spending on Microsoft licenses
between 33 and 107 percent, depending on how often they typically
upgrade their software. Gartner and Giga Information Group report
confusion and frustration among corporate customers they have
studied, with roughly one-third leaning against signing up for the
new licensing program, and another third undecided.

“We have thousands of Windows-based PCs at our corporate
headquarters and our hotel locations around the country,” said Adam
Doxtater, computer engineer for MGM Mirage information systems.
“Due mainly to the new Microsoft policies, we have looked for
alternatives. I am introducing Linux to provide desktop
productivity applications, email and mainframe access for some of
our PC users. I think solutions like Ximian Desktop could easily be
the key to open that door.”

Burlington Coat was an early adopter of Linux-based desktop PCs,
deploying them in over 300 locations nationwide, said Mike Prince,
CIO, Burlington Coat. “The price tag and confusion associated with
the Microsoft licensing program serves as validation of that
decision. We will continue to explore moving other users in the
future to lower cost Linux-based desktops running rapidly improving
software such Sun StarOffice and Ximian Desktop.”

During the Y2Pay promotion, individual customers may purchase
Ximian Desktop Professional Edition for $49.95, a 17% savings from
the regular price of $59.95. Companies seeking to start Linux
desktop pilots or trials receive greater savings with the Ximian
Desktop Professional Edition 10 User Starter Pack. The 10 User pack
is priced at $449, savings of 25% per user.

Ximian Desktop Professional Edition software is available for
Solaris 8 and leading Linux distributions including Red Hat, SuSE,
and Mandrake. The software may be purchased directly from Ximian at
www.ximian.com/store.