Invitrogen buys into Novell's SUSE Linux

(Credit: Novell)

Invitrogen is a billion-dollar supplier to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, with 4,700 employees worldwide and a history of supplying many of the world's leading laboratories in groundbreaking research like the discovery of the AIDS virus.

To help promote its innovative work, Invitrogen announced this week that it is standardizing on Novell's SUSE® Linux Enterprise for its servers. From the press release:

SUSE Linux Enterprise will allow Invitrogen to more easily manage its complex IT environment, consisting of a mix of different platforms and applications including HP servers, Oracle databases and Web servers, as well as PeopleSoft ERP applications comprised of e-commerce, human resources, payroll and customer relationship management. SUSE Linux Enterprise gives the company the flexibility to run its applications on any platform and better utilize hardware through cost-effective virtualization.

Indeed, the press release calls out Invitrogen's adoption of Novell's new PlateSpin technology, which helps companies manage data center virtualization. I'd be interested to know if Invitrogen was initially interested in PlateSpin, and became interested in SUSE by extension, or the other way around. If anyone from Novell cares to comment below, it would be intriguing to know if PlateSpin is helping to drive SUSE sales, or whether it's facilitating existing interest (i.e, a deal closer rather than a deal opener).

Regardless, it's an impressive win and a further demonstration that Novell is finding its Linux feet without needing the Microsoft crutch. That's good news for all.

Update: Charlotte Betterley from Novell PR responded to my question withthe following:

Invitrogen had already been using PlateSpin and the relationship with Novell may have been a factor in them selecting SUSE Linux Enterprise. However, they primarily chose SUSE Linux Enterprise because of the merits of the solution, as it helped them to virtualize their environment, reduce operating system costs and simplify IT management.