Novell rings up Linux for retailers

Novell has announced a new software package, based on the Linux operating system, aimed at high-tech cash registers.

The Point of Service 9 package, released Monday, aims to help lower costs for stores, the company said. It builds on earlier retail packages from Novell.

The software package is designed for the next version of IBM Retail Environment for Suse Linux. Novell is partnering with Wincor Nixdorf, a provider of point-of-service products for banks and retailers. Wincor Nixdorf will embed the new package in its Beetle hardware and other store servers.

PC makers including Dell and Hewlett-Packard and software companies such as Microsoft have been targeting the retail segments with point-of-service products in recent years.

Point of Service 9 is due in the second quarter. Pricing will be announced when the software is released, Novell said.

"Retailers are very concerned about reducing their IT costs to improve the bottom line, and they need an operating system that is secure and reliable," David Patrick, vice president of open source at Novell, said in a statement.