The deal sees Waltham, Massachusetts-based Novell offering SUSE Linux Enterprise Server Priority Support for SAP applications, a maintenance and support package integrated into SAP global support network via the SAP Solution Manager application management offering.

The two companies also announced that they plan to work together to optimise SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for SAP application platforms, including NetWeaver and Business Suite, while SAP will recommend SUSE Linux Enterprise Server as a preferred platform for customers deploying SAP applications on Linux.