IBM is expanding its Linux operating system activities in Europe to speed the ability of customers and independent software vendors to transition their applications and systems.

IBM will invest more than $200 million in a series of Linux initiatives in Europe over the next four years, including creation of Linux development centers, alliances with Linux-focused business partners and deployment of about 600 specialized Linux consultants, hardware and software specialists and services professionals.

The development centers will be in Paris and Montpellier in France; Greenock and Hursley in the United Kingdom; Boeblingen in Germany; Warsaw in Poland; and Budapest in Hungary. IBM will provide software and server IT specialists and Linux-ready servers, storage systems and middlewar -, including Websphere, Lotus Domino and DB2 - to the ISVs to help them develop Linux-based appliations. The centers will support application development on all IBM servers.

"As customers and partners recognize the growing importance of Linux as a key e-business operating system, there is tremendous demand for Linux-ready applications that can meet the tremendous workload demands of today's e-business environment," said Mike Lawrie, general manager, IBM EMEA. "With these centers and these investments, IBM will dramatically speed up this process and start getting Linux applications on Linux-ready servers into the marketplace aggressively during the second half of 2000."

Key IT industry partners, such as Intel, are already working with IBM in the development centers to ensure cross-industry applicability of emerging Linux applications.

As an example of alliances with Linux focused business partners, IBM will be working with LOGIX, a Value Added Distributor of IBM software and hardware, which has secured exclusive distribution rights to Red Hat's Enterprise products in France and Belgium.

The Linux community in Europe is also moving to support IBM Linux initiatives. SuSE Linux AG, a developer and distributor of the Linux operating system, is partnering with IBM to bring Linux developments onto the market.