Novell Layoffs Cast A Cloud Over Big-Business Linux

摘要

For big companies that want to use the Linux operating system and get business-level support, there are only two main options: Red Hat Inc. and Novell. And one of those looked shaky last week. After two years of refocusing, reinvention, and restructuring, Novell is reducing its staff by 10% to save money and suggesting that a change in CEO may be on the horizon. It's all part of trying to deliver on the growth promised when the company staked its future on open-source software in 2003. Novell's profits were up substantially between fiscal 2003 and 2004. But profits have slipped in recent quarters as the company struggles to make gains with its open-source and identity-management technology strategies, while also trying to make its aging NetWare networking platform relevant again.