Canonical, the commercial sponsor of Ubuntu, announced <A HREF="http://www.prweb.com//releases/2008/2/prweb712964.htm">the availability of IBM DB2 Express-C 9.5</A> as software through the Ubuntu Partner Repository and as a virtual appliance running on VMware. Canonical is also making an annual support contract for IBM DB2 Express-C available to its users through shop.canonical.com. This announcement marks the first time that Ubuntu users will be able to buy an annual subscription service directly from the company.

IBM DB2 Express-C is a no-charge edition of the DB2 database server. Ideal for small businesses and multi-branch companies, DB2 Express-C can be setup quickly, is easy-to-use, and includes self-managing capabilities. It also embodies all of the core features of the more scalable DB2 editions, including the revolutionary pureXML technology for powering a new breed of Web 2.0 and SOA based solutions.