SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS PARTNERS WITH CODEHOST INC. TO ADD LINUX SUPPORT FOR PRINTER LINES

Samsung Electronics has entered into a partnership with Los Angeles based Codehost, Inc. to develop applications and drivers for their printers for the Linux operating system. Printers supported include the ML-1210, which Samsung has recently begun shipping. Codehost will be demonstrating the Samsung ML-1210 on Linux at their booth in the Linux Business Expo at Comdex from November 12-16.

The package Codehost is implementing supports GDI, PCL and Postscript printing systems and includes custom applications to install, configure and manage the printers.

The timing is right for initiatives such as this. According to top industry research firms (IDC and Forrester), the 20 million-plus Linux user market is exploding. Linux sales are expected to double in 2002. Hardware companies are developing Linux drivers for their peripherals and devices. At the same time, software companies are in the process of porting their applications to take advantage of this growing commercial market.

“Linux offers an unprecedented opportunity for companies to expand the market for their existing products”, says Codehost CEO, Sam Bizri. “On one hand they don’t need to invest in the development of new products and product launches; and on the other hand they’re entering into a space where there is a growing demand from customers and a very low number of competitors.”