EBIZ Enterprises Gets $3 Million Equity Investment from Caldera Systems
Sep 19th, 19:32 UTC
Caldera CEO Ransom Love to Join EBIZ Board of Directors
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-September 19, 2000--EBIZ Enterprises Inc. (OTCBB:EBIZ - news), a leading vendor-neutral source for Linux sollutions, technical support and community services for the B2B market, today announced that Caldera Systems Inc. (Nasdaq:CALD), will purchase $3 million of EBIZ common stock in a private transaction. The proceeds of this transaction will be used to create and fund PartnerAxis Inc., an EBIZ wholly owned subsidiary.
Under the terms of the agreement, Utah-based Caldera Systems, a leading provider of Linux eBusiness Internet Solutions, has agreed with EBIZ to develop PartnerAxis, a Web-based B2B entity providing knowledge exchange, Linux product sales, advertising, membership and channel development. The new company, an existing division of Caldera called ELM (Electronic Linux Marketplace), will transfer all related assets and existing personnel to PartnerAxis.
Effective today, the subsidiary is operational and will begin offering services immediately and Web properties by the end of 2000. Former Caldera Vice President Dean Taylor, will lead and manage PartnerAxis as its executive vice president. Jeffrey Rassás, EBIZ CEO and founder, will serve as president of the new subsidiary.
Ransom Love, Caldera president and CEO, will join EBIZ's Board of Directors. Love is responsible for Caldera's strategic direction and oversees all aspects of the company including engineering, support, marketing, sales, accounting and operations. Love's leadership extends beyond Caldera Systems to the Linux industry. In December 1999, Linux Magazine listed Love as one of the "50 Linux People to Watch."
"Caldera recognizes that EBIZ is superbly positioned to lead in their market - especially now with PartnerAxis accelerating its channel focus," said Love. "As we develop, deploy and manage specialized servers and Internet devices, we look forward to solving business needs with Linux solutions together."
"EBIZ is very excited to have the opportunity to work with some of the brightest and most innovative minds in the Linux business," said Rassás. "These leaders are experienced in building a sales and marketing channel which is critical for the success of the Linux Operating System and solutions. We are fortunate to have Ransom join our Board of Directors and look forward to his added value and insight."
About Caldera Systems, Inc.
Caldera Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: CALD) is a "Linux for Business" technology leader in developing and marketing successful Linux-based business solutions, including its award-winning OpenLinux, NetWare for Linux, Linux technical training, certification and support-with free 30-day phone support and on-site consulting. Caldera OpenLearning Providers offer exceptional distribution-neutral Linux training and certification based on Linux Professional Institute (LPI) certification standards. Caldera Systems supports the open source community and is a leader in, and advocate of, Linux Standard Base (LSB) and LPI.
Caldera, Inc. was co-founded in 1994 by Ransom Love. Caldera Systems, Inc. was founded by Ransom Love in 1998 to develop Linux-based business solutions. Based in Orem, UT, Caldera Systems has offices and 800+ resellers worldwide. For more information, see www.calderasystems.com or in the US call 888-GO-Linux (888-465-4689).
About TheLinuxStore.com and EBIZ Enterprises
TheLinuxStore.com, is the leading vendor-neutral provider of Linux solutions and the commercial conduit creating the link between the open source developers of technology and the business market.
EBIZ Enterprises Inc. is a leading vendor-neutral source for Linux products, technical support and community services for the B2B market. Linux is noted for its extremely low maintenance cost and stability. The Linux platform is known as a non-crashing operating system. The company's web destinations include: www.TheLinuxStore.com, a destination providing a complete line of Linux-based product solutions; www.TheLinuxLab.com, an interactive exchange providing technical support and a product compatibility database and www.LinuxWired.net, a Linux-based affinity and community services portal and ISP.
This press release contains statements that are forward looking as that term is defined by the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on current expectations that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results will differ due to factors such as shifts in customer demand, product shipment schedules, product mix, competitive products and pricing, technological shifts and other variables.
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Contacts:
Victoria Welch
EIZ Enterprises, Inc.
Director of Marketing and Investor Relations
(480) 778-1000
Rick Pike
Caldera Systems
Manger Corporate Communications
(801) 932-5816
rpike@calderasystems.com
(Submitted by John Wolley of Linux Today)
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