Linux vendor seeks Australian channel

US Linux developer, Userful, wants to develop a local channel for its range of desktop products. The move was prompted by potential Australian customers contacting the company directly, its president, Timothy Griffin, claimed.

"There is a lot of activity around Linux and we see Australia as a key mover," he said.

The company was already in conversation with several resellers and was looking for others, including a partner with national reach, Griffin said. Selection criteria varied according to which of the company's two products was being marketed.

Desktop Multiplier was suitable for experienced Linux developers, while Discover Station only required basic PC installation skills, Griffin said. Margins of 50 per cent were available, he said, as well as volume savings and education user discounts.

The software was ideally suited to low cost, low functionality usage such as libraries, call centres and some education users, Griffin said. Local technical support was important, he said, and this would provide additional service revenues for resellers.

Desktop Multiplier offered a lower TCO to customers by reducing the number of individual PCs required, he claimed.

It turns one computer into a 10-user system by installing extra video cards. Up to 10 monitors and keyboards can then be plugged into a single computer box.