Novell reports linux revenue rise

Second quarter revenues flat but software maker turns a profit

Novell growing its linux business

Software maker Novell reported second quarter Linux revenue of $29m (£14.5m) from flat total revenue of $232m, profit reached $2m compared with a $12m loss for the same period last year.

Product revenue from Identity and Security Management was $31 million of which Identity and Access Management was $27 million, up 13 per cent year-over-year. Workgroup product revenue of $92 million was down one per cent year-over-year.

"Our business continues to gain momentum, with strong product revenue growth in Linux, Identity and Systems and Resource Management," said Ron Hovsepian, president and chief executive of Novell. "We are encouraged by our results and remain confident we will achieve our financial objectives for fiscal 2008."