Net Integration Technologies may not be as well-known of a Linux system purveyor as Red Hat or Novell, but the Markham, Ontario-based software company plans to change that, according to CEO Ozzie Papic. In a direct challenge to Microsoft Small Business Server for dominance of the small- and midsize-business market, Net Integration is integrating a variety of proprietary autonomic management tools with its own Linux platform. As part of the effort, the company this week signed an exclusive distribution agreement with Ingram Micro, and it already claims to be signing up 100 VARs a month as partners. Papic explains why he thinks Net Integration can change the server market status quo in an interview with CRN Editor In Chief Michael Vizard.
CRN: With all of the heavy hitters in the Linux market, why should the channel be paying attention to Net Integration Technologies?
PAPIC: We're really making Linux possible for everyone. Through the development of some unique technologies, we are making Linux simple, easy, deployable and a transparent replacement or add-on to your existing Microsoft-based infrastructure. Our solution is designed in such a way that if you're sitting at a notebook or desktop, you can use Linux and feel like nothing has changed in terms of your regular Microsoft back end.
CRN: How is that different from Red Hat's or Novell's Linux offerings?
PAPIC: The difference is that Red Hat and any other distribution is very much a complex, Linux-based OS that requires a very high level of know-how. They really require you to do a lot of work, and you have to know what you're doing. We have managed to let Linux retain all its capabilities and features in terms of security and other qualities. But we have also simplified it to the point where it's easier to deploy and maintain. We're taking Linux to the next step. We're evolving it into an operating system that is now accessible by everyone.
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