Canonical Will Resell IBM DB2 Express-C 9.5

Canonical will resell IBM DB2 Express-C 9.5 as software, through the Ubuntu Partner Repository. The software will be used as a virtual appliance running on VMware.

Canonical is also offering an annual support contract for IBM DB2 Express-C through shop.canonical.com. This is the first time when Ubuntu users will be able to buy an annual subscription service directly from the company.

IBM DB2 Express-C is a free - as in no-charge - edition of the DB2 database server, ideal for small and medium businesses. It is easy to use, includes self-managing capabilities and can be set up quickly. All the core features of the more scalable DB2 editions are included, along with the revolutionary pureXML technology required to power Web 2.0 and SOA based solutions.

Mark Murphy, alliances manager at Canonical, said: "IBM DB2 Express-C is a great example of how we are bringing business-class applications to the Ubuntu community. Users have more access than ever before to the tools they need. Allowing for the purchase of annual subscriptions directly from Canonical is also part of a larger commitment to mid-size enterprises that we will continue to build upon this year."

Inhi Cho, vice president, IBM Data Management Marketing, added: "Our relationship with Canonical demonstrates IBM's commitment to helping small to mid-sized companies achieve competitive advantage through data management innovations. There's a shift underway in the database software market as our partners and clients increasingly choose IBM. IBM DB2 Express-C provides a fast, secure, reliable, and scalable data server to help clients increase their performance now and as their businesses grow."

"Fourth Millennium Technologies has been active in bringing Linux to the forefront of database systems since we implemented the first commercial clustered DB2 system on Linux in 2001," said James Sobieski, president of Fourth Millennium Technologies. He added: "Using the DB2 Express-C Ubuntu Virtual Appliance will help our customers implement a proven Linux-based database system faster, easier and using fewer resources than before. Many of our Linux customers have expressed a strong interest in the Virtual Appliance and we expect demand to only grow."

The DB2 Express-C 9.5 software can be installed through the Add/Remove feature in Ubuntu and as a virtual appliance from www.ubuntu.com/ibm/db2. The combined subscriptions to IBM and Canonical support are available through shop.canonical.com, at a price of $3,750 per year.