SCO Makes ASP Play

FRAMINGHAM (03/02/2000) - The Santa Cruz Operation Inc. is positioning its Tarantella application broker technology as a platform for application service providers. A new Tarantella version due in May will be offered to ASPs under a novel "per-hour" pricing model.

Tarantella, which competes with Citrix Systems Inc.'s MetaFrame, allows any client system equipped with a Java-enabled Web browser to access applications running on diverse server platforms including Windows NT, Unix and mainframe operating systems.

SCO will sell Tarantella ASP Edition directly to ASPs. The Tarantella ASP Edition will be priced per user hour on a pay-as-you-go model. The price will include software upgrades and support.

Greg Blatnick, managing director at Zona Research Inc. in Redwood City, Calif., said SCO's attempt to win the ASP market is "a long shot." Blatnick said that Tarantella so far has mainly appealed to SCO's existing Unix user base. "They certainly are trying to become a Unix version of Citrix (MetaFrame)," said Blatnick, adding that because of SCO's large installed base in small business and certain vertical industries, the product may still do well.

Chris Clabaugh, CEO of Allegrix Inc., a Santa Clara, Calif.-based ASP, is using Tarantella to combine applications running under Windows, Linux and other operating systems into a seamless whole. He said he hasn't found any other software to do this. "If you're (running) Windows everywhere, Tarantella doesn't have a great story."

SCO is a minority shareholder in Allegrix and is working with the company to add ASP features such as tracking and billing to Tarantella, Clabaugh added.

"ASPs should definitely consider Tarantella," said Peter Lowber, a research director at Stamford, Conn.-based Gartner Group Inc. "They have a good product and a good approach to server-based computing." But Lowber said it would be hard for SCO to compete with Citrix's strong market position and well-established channel.

Join the newsletter!

Or

Sign up to gain exclusive access to email subscriptions, event invitations, competitions, giveaways, and much more.

Membership is free, and your security and privacy remain protected. View our privacy policy before signing up.

Error: Please check your email address.

More about AllegrixCitrix Systems Asia PacificGartnerGartnerZona Research

Show Comments
[]