Collax, a provider of Linux servers for small and medium sized businesses, announced today that former IBM, Novell and SUSE executive Richard Seibt has joined its Board of Directors.
Collax offers SMBs a suite of simple, cost-effective open source solutions for security, networking, and communication -- with no Linux knowledge required. "What impresses me about Collax is the concept -- open source-based technology that can be operated without Linux know-how, and which integrates ’best-of-breed’ open source software and applications," said Seibt. "It’s a product ideally suited to SMBs and, frankly, the next big wave of Linux adoption."
Seibt was most recently president of Novell EMEA joining the company after the acquisition by Novell of SUSE Linux, where he served as CEO. In 1994, as head of IBM's German software line of business, Seibt was responsible for the success of the OS/2 operating system in Europe.
"We are delighted to have recruited one of the world's top Linux executives to the board," said Olaf Jacobi, CEO, Collax. "With his proven expertise, network of contacts and market knowledge, Richard will make a vital contribution to the international success of our solutions."
About Richard Seibt
Most recently President, Novell EMEA, Seibt has been an IT executive for 26 years. As Managing Director of IBM Germany, he was responsible for sales and marketing for IBM software products in Germany, Austria and Switzerland and was principally responsible for the enormous success of OS/2 in the German-speaking market precipitating a move to the US as General Manager of the OS/2 division.
Seibt left IBM in 1998 and joined the board of United Internet AG. In January 2003, he joined the Nuremburg-based SUSE Linux as CEO and chairman of the board. Just over one year later, SUSE Linux was acquired by Novell, and Seibt was named President of Novell-EMEA. He left Novell in May 2005, and has since devoted himself to selected Linux and open source projects. He is chairman of the Heise Media Congress Open-source-meets-business.com. Since October 2005, Richard Seibt has been involved in the boards of Open-Xchange and Scali, and in January 2006 he became an advisor to Collax Inc.