Novell has introduced Novell Linux Point of Service 9, a Linux distribution designed specifically for retail point of service. The package has a dual-image capability, allowing retailers to use the same client image for an in-store server and point-of-sale client, so retail operations gain a platform that runs many of today's retail applications at a lower total cost of ownership.

Novell Linux Point of Service 9 extends the capabilities of Novell's previous retail offerings. Built on Novell's SUSE Linux Enterprise Server and Novell Linux Desktop platforms, the new offering provides multiple client images, from a 30 MB image requiring only 64 MB of RAM to a platform incorporating open-source office, browser and advanced desktop technologies like KDE and Gnome. The variety of client images enables retailers to choose the environment for their retail applications based on their in-store requirements and skills. Novell Linux Point of Service 9 also provides the ability to perform remote installations for disk-based or diskless devices and a comprehensive systems management capability to maintain in-store systems from a centralized location.

Novell Linux Point of Service continues Novell's relationship with IBM, the largest retail point-of-service hardware vendor. Novell Linux Point of Service 9 is planned for the next version of the IBM Retail Environment for SUSE Linux, which was originally introduced in January, 2004.

Novell Linux Point of Service 9 will be available directly from Novell, as well as from IBM through its IBM Retail Environment for SUSE Linux 2 and from Wincor Nixdorf. It will be available in the second quarter of 2005. Pricing will be announced at general availability.


Source : GlobeTechnology