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Novell appoints first Linux training partner


Johannesburg, 06 Apr 2004

Smartsource Corporate Training, a Cape Town-based Linux training specialist with a network of business partners in Johannesburg, has been appointed the first Linux training partner for Novell SA.

According to Trish Barwick, channel manager at Novell, Smartsource has been selected to deliver Novell`s Certified Linux Engineer (CLE) and SuSE Certified Linux Professional (CLP) programmes locally. "Novell`s priority is to grow its existing base of technology training partners and appointing SmartSource is the first step in that process."

Matthew Costello, MD of Smartsource Corporate Training, believes the Novell certification is going to be beneficial to the Linux community as a whole. "Linux has often been criticised for a lack of available skills. Now, with Novell`s CLE and CLP qualifications, we are going to address this issue in a way that makes sense to corporate IT managers," he says.

Costello says Smartsource has expanded its operations to service both Gauteng and the Western Cape and meet the rapidly growing demand. Other regions in the country are also to be serviced in order to offer complete national coverage.

Barwick says the two companies are in discussions about converting existing Novell CNEs (Certified Network Engineers) to CLEs. "Smartsource also recently employed a Certified Novell Instructor (CNI) which equips them to provide traditional Novell training," she adds.

From a Novell perspective, the partnership provides expertise in Linux areas which the company has not required until recently. "Since the Ximian and SuSE acquisitions, our marketing has taken on a very strong Linux and OSS focus. This will be evident at our Brainshare Partner Conference in May, where we have secured participation from many OSS players and hardware vendors as well as government," says Barwick.

Costello believes Smartsource and Novell have a shared vision and a passion for delivery. "Linux is a wave that`s been building for a while. It`s going to take off and, when it does, it`s going to be beneficial to everyone involved." he concludes.

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Craig Rodney
Emerging Media Communications
083 357 3439
craig@emergingmedia.co.za