Trilight Zone

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Canonical Ltd., Ubuntu Linux's commercial sponsor, and SpikeSource Inc., a provider of open-source solutions, announced today that SpikeSource will certify its business-ready open source applications for Ubuntu, and deliver support for Ubuntu through its growing channel of solution providers.

In the deal, SpikeSource will become a reseller of Canonical Global Support Services for Ubuntu, and will eventually fully integrate the Ubuntu distribution into its SpikeIgnited solutions. SpikeSource will then be able to provide federated support and updates for the entire software stack via its SpikeNet service.

SpikeNet, somewhat like Red Hat Inc.'s RHN (Red Hat Network), is used to deliver updates of any needed operating system and application bug fixes and upgrades to SpikeSource customers.

Under this agreement, SpikeSource will certify its applications and software stacks on Ubuntu. Eventually, the company plans to deliver its entire SpikeSource application suite on Ubuntu. In this suite, SpikeSource offers Linux-based CRM (customer relationship management), CMS (content management systems), and business intelligence.

"Our relationship with SpikeSource will assist businesses to use Ubuntu. Both SpikeSource and Canonical are committed to bringing the benefits of open source to a wider business audience," said Mark Shuttleworth, CEO of Canonical and founder of Ubuntu, in a statement. "Open-source solutions can help businesses increase productivity and spur innovation while reducing their IT costs. An integrated solution will make it easier for customers to deploy and maintain SpikeSource's leading-edge business suites."

Steve George, Canonical's director of support and services, added, "The partnership with SpikeSource is in-line with our objective to bring the benefits of open source to a wider business audience by delivering world-class support and assistance through a growing network of specialist partners."

This news follows on the heels of Ubuntu's recent announcement that it will be working with Linspire Inc. to enable users of the next version of Ubuntu, 7.04, to use Linspire's CNR package installer/updater client and online services.

"The popularity of Ubuntu combined with Canonical's commitment to open-source development, makes it a perfect partner for SpikeSource," said Kim Polese, SpikeSource's CEO.