Unisys, JBoss expand partnership

Computerworld - Unisys Corp. and open-source application vendor JBoss Inc. today unveiled an expansion of their existing global JBoss application server partnership deal that allows Unisys to provide service, support and training for all JBoss products for the first time, including its integrated JBoss Enterprise Middleware Suite (JEMS).

In an announcement, Blue Bell, Pa.-based Unisys said the deal is part of its efforts to provide open-source products and open standards to enterprise customers.

“Having the relationship with JBoss is something our clients look at and feel comfortable with,” said Anthony Gold, vice president and general manager for Unisys’ open-source business. The previous partnership deal with Atlanta-based JBoss only focused on providing service and support for the company’s JBoss Application Server, including Level 1 and Level 2 support, Gold said. The new deal allows Unisys to sell and support all JBoss products for all Unisys and non-Unisys hardware platforms and for use with Linux or Windows operating systems on a global basis, and to offer Unisys-branded training.

The integration by JBoss of the JEMS middleware stack with its application server offerings helped push Unisys to expand its partnership because the integration brings additional value for Unisys customers, Gold said.

The new agreement covers all of the JEMS components, including JBoss Application Server, Hibernate, Apache Tomcat, JBoss Rules, JBoss Transactions, JBoss Cache and JBoss Portal.

JEMS fits well with Unisys’ open Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) strategies, Gold said, to help customers better manage their IT infrastructures.

Tom Cooper, vice president of worldwide channels for JBoss, said the previous two-year partnership deal with Unisys provided a solid framework and working relationship. “Ultimately, Unisys will be bringing additional demand to JBoss and expanding our reach,” he said. “They are very well established around the world.”

Under the deal, core competency centers have been created by the partners where prospective customers can come in and benchmark and test their enterprise applications using JBoss applications. “Making that kind of investment is not something to be taken lightly,” Cooper said. “It shows a major commitment by Unisys to open-source” software, and helps JBoss with introductions to customers in a wider variety of industries and global markets, he said.

The agreement will also expand the collaboration between the two companies on customer education, marketing and sales, as well as increase Unisys’ presence on JBoss’ OEM/ISV Customer Advisory Board.

The Unisys deal isn’t the only one where JBoss will apparently be extending its global reach. Last month, Linux vendor Red Hat Inc. announced plans to acquire JBoss for at least $350 million, giving Red Hat wider access and integrations with JBoss’ products (see ”Update: Red Hat to buy JBoss for at least $350M”).