SUSE Linux Enterprise (SLE) is a Linux-based operating system developed by SUSE. It is available in two editions, suffixed with Server (SLES) for servers and mainframes, and Desktop (SLED) for workstations and desktop computers. SUSE is estimated to have annual revenues of approximately $800 million and EBITDA of more than $250 million. Depending on market conditions, sources say the company could fetch between $4 billion and $6 billion in a sale.
SUSE has changed hands several times in recent decades. In 2003, the company was acquired by Novell. It then ended up with The Attachmate Group. After a merger with Micro Focus, SUSE was finally bought by investor EQT in 2018, which later re-listed the company on the stock exchange and then delisted it again.
SUSE Linux® is an open-source operating system built on Linux®. It’s designed for stability, flexibility, and enterprise usage. SUSE is widely used for server management, application hosting, and software development, offering compatibility for diverse workloads. For several years, Suse is the closest thing for Red Hat Enterprise Linux and Fedora but stays European and most folks love it that way.
SuSE was an abbreviation for Gesellschaft für Software und Systementwicklung mbH, which loosely translates to “software and system development company.
SLES is the SUSE Linux server operating system designed for mainframes and servers. It is mostly used with a support contract with SUSE. SUSE Linux Enterprise Server was initially released in 2000 and has undergone multiple upgrades since.
The Big Question is, will Suse remain European and Open Source if sold to a non-European Organization this time around?