Sybase, Inc.,a leading provider of enterprise infrastructure and mobile software, and Red Hat, Inc., the world's leading provider of open source solutions, today announced plans for an expanded partnership which will include the delivery of a database appliance based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 with integrated virtualization.  This pairing will unlock customer value by leveraging Red Hat virtualized infrastructure and Sybase’s continuing data management leadership. This marks the first time an enterprise data management company has announced plans for a Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 database appliance.

Integrated virtualization will enable the flexibility of on-demand resource management, and provide a substantial increase in the performance of database systems.  Sybase’s enterprise-class database, Sybase® Adaptive Server® Enterprise (ASE), will seamlessly leverage on-line migration and high availability capabilities when running on the Red Hat Advanced Platform.

In addition, the two companies are announcing plans for Sybase to become a member of the Red Hat Cooperative Resolution Center, which will enable mutual customers of Red Hat and Sybase to call either company and be assured that the two will work closely together to resolve concerns.   Additionally, Sybase’s membership in the Red Hat Cooperative Resolution Center will allow the parties to have joint labs, end-to-end testing, cross support training and defined escalation procedures.

“Sybase and Red Hat have many joint customers and a long history of teaming to provide industry-leading solutions,” said Tim Yeaton, senior vice president of Enterprise Solutions at Red Hat.  “With clustering and integrated virtualization in the Red Hat Advanced Platform unlocking incredible cost savings for enterprise infrastructures, the pairing of Sybase ASE as an appliance solution is natural.” 

“The expanded partnership will give our mutual customers the financial agility and productivity edge across their enterprise,” said Dr. Raj Nathan, senior vice president and chief marketing officer, Sybase. “Sybase ASE 15’s attractive price, performance and innovative technology, combined with Red Hat’s market leadership in enterprise Linux distribution, enable enterprises to manage and mobilize their data at a fraction of the cost.”

Industry analysts recognize the business benefits of this mutual partnership.    “Sybase ASE together with Linux provides the most cost effective solution, 15 percent to 37 percent less than alternative solutions,” said Jim Johnson, founder and chairman, the Standish Group.  “We believe the support of Red Hat Enterprise Linux with virtualization will enable Sybase and Red Hat to provide the most cost effective solution.”

“Both Red Hat Linux and Sybase database solutions are optimized to take advantage of Intel processor technologies such as Intel® Virtualization Technology and our enhanced performance and energy efficient Quad-Core Intel® Xeon® processors,” said Doug Fisher, Intel Vice President and General Manager, System Software Division. “The integrated Red Hat-Sybase database appliance solution on Intel-based servers will drive increased value to all of our enterprise customers.”

Highlights of the expanded partnership will include:

• Collaborating to optimize and deliver Sybase data management products on Red Hat Advanced Platform, with its integrated server, storage and network virtualization and management
• Seamless customer support through Red Hat’s Cooperative Resolution Center
• Enabling on-line migration and high availability capabilities for low cost, high performing data management solutions
• Sybase ASE certified on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 with virtualization, planned availability in the second half of 2007; Sybase IQ analytics server on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5, planned availability in the second half of 2007
• A database appliance certified on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 with virtualization, planned availability in the second half of 2007, eliminating the need for separate OS and database patches, with lower installation, configuration and maintenance costs