The Ottawa-based developer is also doing its part to help spark the interest and demand that has been generated for the Linux OS in the enterprise market, with its recent release of its Databeacon Collaboration Edition, which is being directed towards the mid-market.

"We have always had strong platform support for our technology on Unix and Windows platforms, so Linux was just a natural extension to what we were already doing," said Greg Singleton, Databeacon's vice-president of channel sales. "The Linux version gives enterprises the flexibility of choice. As well, it's no surprise that there is a growing trend towards Linux in the enterprise."

He added that the interest and demand for Linux is increasing within the enterprise, as more and more organizations adopt the OS for its ability to lower IT costs, while offering reliability and security.

According to Forrester Research, 17 per cent of large North American companies are using Linux, and more enterprise software applications will be needed for the commercial OS to be more widely used.

"We are starting to hear it from prospects and our channel partners that Linux support is very important for them as well," Singleton noted. "It gives resellers another arrow in the quiver when they go to their customers."

None of Databeacon’s current Canadian partners in its 100 per cent indirect strategy have Linux expertise, according to Singleton.

"A part of our channel strategy will be to go out and start to try and attract some of those conversations with some of those VARs or integration companies that have expertise in Linux, and would like to add Web based reporting and data analysis tools to their offerings," Singleton said.

At the end of the month the company will wrap up its fiscal year and is planning over the next year to add a number of Linux resellers. With a strong channel presence currently in Toronto and Ottawa, its strategy in the fiscal year is to sign up partners in the western provinces, and on the east coast.

"We have got a graduated partner program that gives resellers decent margins to get started. It allows them to earn their way to better margins depending on how successful they are," Singleton said. "Our philosophy here is to give successful partners opportunities to become even more successful."

Linux-based organizations will now have the ability to easily publish and disseminate interactive Web reports and data analysis via Internet, Intranets and extranets. The Linux edition offers enterprises the ability to view, create and collaborate on Web

Reports over with a Web browser, and without needing to be trained or perform a software install.

"It's a good opportunity for partners both on license sales and a services consulting basis as well. Linux will be just as important as our other platforms that we sell right now," Singleton said.

Pricing for Databeacon Collaboration starts at $5,000 (CDN) for a 5-user license.

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