From the Press Release:

SUSE Linux Enterprise now has more than 2,500 software certified applications and is recommended as a preferred platform for leading ISVs including Microsoft and SAPWALTHAM, Mass., Nov. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Novell today announced more than 2,500 software applications are now certified on the latest versions of SUSE® Linux Enterprise, with an average of 140 new applications being added each month. Based on publicly available information, SUSE Linux Enterprise 9 and 10 have the most certified software applications when compared to the latest releases of all other commercial Linux* distributions. To complement this breadth of support, SUSE Linux Enterprise is also a preferred Linux platform for many of the most important enterprise software vendors, including Microsoft and SAP AG, and is the fastest-growing Linux distribution according to research firm IDC(1).

“SUSE Linux Enterprise gives customers a scalable and secure platform on which to run SAP® applications,” said Mike Schmidt-Holzmann, global partner director at SAP. “With SAP and Novell working together to further optimize SUSE Linux Enterprise for SAP application platforms, we are continuing our commitment to deliver value to customers who choose to run open source and commercial software based on open standards.”

According to Gartner(2), ISV enthusiasm has always been a major driver behind OS success. This enthusiasm helps generate demand for in-vogue products, which in turn stimulates yet more ISVs to increase their focus. This creates a natural cycle or a positive feedback loop creating market momentum that maintains the leadership edge of successful OSs but can also create a barrier to entry for others.

“With the rapid growth of Novell’s ecosystem of ISVs and software applications, customers now have more reasons than ever to consider SUSE Linux Enterprise when they are choosing Linux platforms,” said Roger Levy, senior vice president and general manager of Open Platform Solutions at Novell. “Our focus and attention to our ISVs has resulted in an increased ecosystem of prominent software vendors certified on our platform, resulting in an impressive array of mutually beneficial partnerships. Much of our growth is also attributed to our working together with ISV partners to identify and deliver the applications most in demand by our customers.”

About SUSE Linux Enterprise

The next-generation platform for the open enterprise, SUSE Linux Enterprise is the best-engineered and most interoperable platform for mission-critical computing, from the desktop to the data center. For more information about SUSE Linux Enterprise, visit http://www.novell.com/linux.

About Novell

Novell, Inc. (Nasdaq: NOVL – News) delivers the best engineered, most interoperable Linux platform and a portfolio of integrated IT management software that helps customers around the world reduce cost, complexity and risk. With our infrastructure software and ecosystem of partnerships, Novell harmoniously integrates mixed IT environments, allowing people and technology to work as one. For more information, visit http://www.novell.com.

Novell and SUSE are registered trademarks of Novell, Inc. in the United States and other countries. SAP and all SAP logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of SAP AG in Germany and in several other countries. *All third-party trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

(1) IDC, “Worldwide Linux Operating Environments 2008-2012 Forecast: Taking Linux to the Next Level,” Doc # 211562, April 2008.

(2) Gartner Inc., “Enthusiasm Matrix for Server Operating Systems” by Andrew Butler and Philip Dawson, April 2008

SAP Forward-looking Statement

Any statements contained in this document that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “project,” “predict,” “should” and “will” and similar expressions as they relate to SAP are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. SAP undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations The factors that could affect SAP’s future financial results are discussed more fully in SAP’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including SAP’s most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of their dates.

Source: Novell, Inc.

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