Everyone's Linux, Maxil to launch ELX Power

SUNIL RAJANALA

TIMES NEWS NETWORK [ TUESDAY, JULY 09, 2002  2:37:56 AM ]

HYDERABAD: Everyone's Linux (ELX) in association with Maxil Technology Solutions, US, is gearing up to launch a Linux-based operating system, ELX Power desktop version across North America, Europe, Latin America and Australia by end-July this year.

ELX is India's first commercial Linux-based Operating System, which matches Windows by every feature and provides the additional advantages of Linux's robustness and security.

The Linux operating system has been developed by Hyderabad-based Everyone's Linux, formerly 3T solutions.

Speaking to ET, Maxil Technology's MIS director, Raj Kosaraju said, the soft launch of ELX Power Desktop Version 1.0 took place during late June this year across North America including Canada.

By the third week of July, the product will find its way into markets of Europe, Latin America, South Africa, Australia and the rest of the world, he said. ELX also plans to launch the product in India during August for just Rs 900 for Indian customers.

To strengthen the relationship, Maxil proposes to enter into a joint venture by participating in ELX equity. "Right now, we are not a JV but we are planning to enter into equity participation in the near future.

We are actually a strategic marketing alliance partner to ELX and are working towards handling a global marketing initiative through our network partners all across the globe.

We are planning to invest quite substantially in ELX in the next few months to scale up the operations to meet a growing demand," Mr Raj said.

He said Maxil will be investing to the tune of Rs 50 lakh immediately in the next three months and subsequently bring in additional funds keeping in line with business volumes and sales forecasts.

The revenue model is based on a 55:45 ratio with Maxil sharing 45 percent with ELX from the revenues that accrue in terms of overall product sales. The advertising and promotional costs along with infrastructure and overheads will be borne by Maxil.

Meanwhile, talks are on with a Canada based hardware manufacturer to bundle the operating system with the hardware. The name has not been divulged because the discussions are still in the early stages.

Just as Walmart sells Lindows (Linux) based desktops which are much cheaper than big brands, Maxil is trying for a venture to make desktops available at 30-40 per cent less than the regular PC, Mr Kosaraju said.

He said during the test phase, the pre-release version of ELX had 89,000 free downloads between April and June 2002, with most of the downloads from educational institutions, colleges, and universities.

He expects to sell around 5000 units in the US during next three months and 10,000 by the year-end. Further releases of the power desktop version are being planned with ELX Power Desktop 1.0 Light scheduled for release during November, followed by ELX Desktop 1.1 version during 2003.

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