Linux Professional Institute and Free Standards Group join forces in Latin America
(Sao Paulo, Brazil: August 8, 2006) - The Linux Professional Institute (LPI), (http://www.lpi.org), the world's premier Linux certification organization and the Free Standards Group (http://www.freestandards.com) will combine forces in Latin America to promote Open Standards and professional certification. The two organizations will initiate this relationship through their key participation in a five city IT tour in Brazil beginning in August 2006 which includes such leading companies as IBM and Novell, local LPI training partners and other IT organizations. Jim Lacey, President and CEO of LPI noted that this partnership was an ideal example of LPI's larger global strategy of supporting local and regional efforts to promote Open Source adoption: "LPI's Regional Enablement Initiative works best where we are able to identify tools and collaborative efforts that assist our regional representatives efforts to promote Linux professionalism. FSG is the acknowledged world leader in advocating for Free and Open Standards and together we can have a substantial impact on the continuing adoption of Open Source Software in Latin America." Jim Zemlin, Executive Director of the Free Standards Group (FSG) welcomed this initiative and noted LPI's longstanding vendor-independence: "LPI is a natural partner for us in promoting Free and Open Standards. Their Linux skills certification program is recognized around the world as the baseline standard for Linux professionals. In addition, like ourselves, they recognize the importance of vendor-neutrality. Free and Open Standards, inter-operability and vendor-neutral certifications prevent vendor lock-in and ensure a productive and innovative Open Source community," said Zemlin. Mr. Zemlin also recognized the efforts of FSG Board member, Jim Lacey, President and CEO of LPI in making this partnership possible. Jose Carlos Gouveia, LPI Area Operations Manager for Latin America, will lead this initiative in Brazil. His initial work will focus on an IT roadshow to the cities of Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte, Porto Alegre and Brasilia. The road show will consist of day long seminars for local companies and academic institutions from August to October on the subject of legacy modernization--including Linux adoption and migration. Mr. Gouveia will present on the subject of Linux Professional certification and Free and Open Standards during these events. The Brazilian tour involves representatives from leading multi-national IT companies and Brazilian Linux training and service companies. "Latin American nations have long been leaders in public policy that is supportive of Open Source adoption. FSG is a natural partner for us in the region and will be readily embraced by both enterprise and governments who fully appreciate the need for universal Free Standards for the continuing growth of Open Source software in Latin America," said Gouveia. Mr. Gouveia joined LPI last November (see: http://www1.lpi.org/en/news_item/130) and since then has substantially expanded LPI's network of support throughout Latin America. Prior to LPI, Mr. Gouveia worked the last five years for SGI-Silicon Graphics as Area General Manager for Latin America. He has also worked as a General Manager for Novell, Platinum Technologies, PeopleSoft and J.D.Edwards in the region and as a director for Anderson Consulting (Accenture) and Dun & Bradstreet Software. The Linux Professional Institute (LPI) is an internationally recognized, vendor-independent organization advocating and assisting the professional use of Linux, Open Source and Free Software, through the certification of Linux professionals. Established as a non-profit organization in 1999, LPI is community based and supported. LPI's certification program is delivered worldwide in multiple languages. The organization has delivered over 120,000+ LPIC-1 and LPIC-2 exams and 35,000+ certifications, globally, since the program's inception. -30- About Linux Professional Institute: The Linux Professional Institute (LPI) develops professional certification for the Linux operating system, independent of software vendors or training providers. Established as an international non-profit organization in 1999 by the Linux community, LPI develops accessible, internationally-recognized certification programs which have earned the respect of vendors, employers and IT professionals. LPI's activities involve hundreds of volunteers and dedicated Linux professionals throughout the world in many different capacities, and the group encourages active public involvement through mailing lists and its website at www.lpi.org. LPI's multi-level program of exams is administered globally through Pearson VUE and Prometric testing centers. LPI's major financial sponsors are Platinum Sponsors IBM, Linux Journal, Linux Magazine, Novell, SGI, and TurboLinux as well as Gold Sponsors, Hewlett-Packard and IDG. About Free Standards Group: The Free Standards Group is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating the use of free and open source software by developing and promoting standards. Key Free Standards Group projects include the Linux Standard Base (LSB) and OpenI18N, the internationalization initiative. Supported by leaders in the IT industry as well as the open source development community, the Free Standards Group fulfils a critical need to have common behavioural specifications, tools and ABIs across Linux platforms. Key members of the FSG include AMD, Computer Associates, Debian, Dell, Fujitsu, Google, HP, IBM, Intel, MySQL, NEC, Novell, Red Flag, Red Hat, Sun Microsystems, Veritas and many others. Media Contacts: Amanda McPherson Marketing Director Free Standards Group 2370 Market St. #157 San Francisco, CA 94114 Tel: (415) 531-0483 Fax: (415) 354-1787 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Web: http://www.freestandards.org Jose Carlos Gouveia Area Operations Manager, LPI-Latin America Linux Professional Institute Alameda Sabia, 1003 06428-110 Barueri-SP, Brazil Tel: + 55 11 8133-4177 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Web: http://www.lpi.org _______________________________________________ Linux Professional Institute media mailing list Contact: Scott Lamberton, Director of Communications Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Telephone: +1-416-666-1574 To Subscribe or unsubscribe send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with "media unsubsribe"; in the subject line or do so directly at: http://list.lpi.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/media _______________________________________________ lpi-announce mailing list [email protected] http://list.lpi.org/mailman/listinfo/lpi-announce
