AT&T Tech Support 360
- Related Stories
-
Gartner sees solid server sales
August 25, 2004 -
Plugging the Linux holes
April 30, 2004 -
Moving to Linux may not save money--yet
April 5, 2004
In a report on total cost of ownership for the Linux, Unix and Microsoft Windows operating systems, research company The Yankee Group found that only 4 percent of businesses planned to migrate Unix servers to Linux within the next two years. A total of 11 percent intended to move Windows servers to Linux, while 21 percent proposed to add Linux servers to a predominantly Windows environment.
On the desktop, 36 percent of businesses expected to have a few Linux PCs in their business, but only 5 percent planned a total migration to Linux. A majority--57 percent--planned no changes for Windows on the desktop.
The report cites a number of factors for corporate caution in moving to Linux, most notably the increasingly complex calculations required to determine whether such moves are cost-effective.
"All of the firms would like to reduce the amount of up-front capital expenditure dollars they spend on expensive Windows and Unix software licenses," the report found. "However, they also recognize that in certain instances, a wholesale or significant switch to Linux might reduce up-front costs but result in higher overall costs."
Factors to consider in such a cost analysis range from interoperability with existing applications to the relative scarcity of trained Linux support personnel. "The establishments that have or are seriously considering Linux bemoaned the present dearth and high cost of skilled Linux administrators, even as they praised the open-source operating system's ease of use," the report stated.
Such concerns may loom larger if a company is governed by a central IT strategy, which would discourage a piecemeal approach to technology adoption, Yankee analyst Dana Gardner said.
"The position companies need to look at is whether there's a tactical or strategic role for Linux and open source," Gardner said. "They're looking at what would be a strategic platform that's fully integrated and supported."
The report found that even businesses that were relatively satisfied with Windows are making some use of Linux, however--as a bargaining chip in negotiating with Microsoft on further purchases. "We have no intention of switching to Linux," an unnamed MIS manager is quoted as saying in the report, "but we do find it useful as a stone to throw at Microsoft."
See more CNET content tagged:
Dana Gardner,
Linux,
Unix,
survey,
open source
First, I don't know why you would say lucky to be looking at Linux. I actually sell Linux based solutions to small and mid sized companies and so far but one client has complained about Linux. I've seen my own business grow largely in the last couple of years. You say that's not true and I say: not everyone needs customized apps.
Many businesses only need things like email and a web browser. Others need a web site with some set of features but be it Windows or Linux they don't create it themselves but rather hire someone to do it for them so I don't see how a prepackaged Linux solution would help them out. Maybe you are talking about ERP or CRM solutions in which case I can only say: so? This solutions still need customization be it Windows, Solaris or your OS of choice. If you don't have in-house people to help you out you need to pay for outside help or learn it yourself.
Secondly, I think you haven't been reading tech sites lately. HP just released an out-of-the-box working Linux laptop. Dell has some hardware. I've installed Linux distros (FC2 particularly) on Compaq and IBM laptops, on HP, Dell and even no-name PC's without having to do ANY changes or fiddle with kernel or other things.
Whether you or I like it or not Linux is winning ground on many fronts. It is a mistake to just deny it and say the world is flat and burn all those who say otherwise. The best approach is to analyze when Linux/Windows/MacOS/Your OS makes sense and when it doesn't.
I do agree that Linux has a long way to go in many aspects but hey when the majority of the COTS are made Windows only it's not precisely an easy task porting things to Linux.
Phooey to Microsoft. Phooey to them and their employees for engaging in anti-trust activities and phooey to them for doing so well at locking their customers into proprietary, expensive, and second-rate software solutions. Phooey to them for using their monopoly to artificially super-inflate their profit margins.
Yes, I am a techie turned business-man. I'm nearly done with my Bachelors in Business as we speak, and will be working towards my MBA next. Beware my breed, because there are many of us, and we are the future of business. We don't believe in the "solutions" of the past, and we have bright ideas on how to drive down technology costs and drive up profits. The companies that you have created will be unable to compete technologically because you will be locked into one solution that is clunky and slow, while we have the freedom to change and innovate at any time. Be wise; free yourself while you still have the chance.
And don't dis the geek. We have much more power than you think to determine where technology is going, and most of us prefer open source solutions to proprietary ones. After all, it is us that creates the technology.
First, I don't know why you would say lucky to be looking at Linux. I actually sell Linux based solutions to small and mid sized companies and so far but one client has complained about Linux. I've seen my own business grow largely in the last couple of years. You say that's not true and I say: not everyone needs customized apps.
Many businesses only need things like email and a web browser. Others need a web site with some set of features but be it Windows or Linux they don't create it themselves but rather hire someone to do it for them so I don't see how a prepackaged Linux solution would help them out. Maybe you are talking about ERP or CRM solutions in which case I can only say: so? This solutions still need customization be it Windows, Solaris or your OS of choice. If you don't have in-house people to help you out you need to pay for outside help or learn it yourself.
Secondly, I think you haven't been reading tech sites lately. HP just released an out-of-the-box working Linux laptop. Dell has some hardware. I've installed Linux distros (FC2 particularly) on Compaq and IBM laptops, on HP, Dell and even no-name PC's without having to do ANY changes or fiddle with kernel or other things.
Whether you or I like it or not Linux is winning ground on many fronts. It is a mistake to just deny it and say the world is flat and burn all those who say otherwise. The best approach is to analyze when Linux/Windows/MacOS/Your OS makes sense and when it doesn't.
I do agree that Linux has a long way to go in many aspects but hey when the majority of the COTS are made Windows only it's not precisely an easy task porting things to Linux.
Phooey to Microsoft. Phooey to them and their employees for engaging in anti-trust activities and phooey to them for doing so well at locking their customers into proprietary, expensive, and second-rate software solutions. Phooey to them for using their monopoly to artificially super-inflate their profit margins.
Yes, I am a techie turned business-man. I'm nearly done with my Bachelors in Business as we speak, and will be working towards my MBA next. Beware my breed, because there are many of us, and we are the future of business. We don't believe in the "solutions" of the past, and we have bright ideas on how to drive down technology costs and drive up profits. The companies that you have created will be unable to compete technologically because you will be locked into one solution that is clunky and slow, while we have the freedom to change and innovate at any time. Be wise; free yourself while you still have the chance.
And don't dis the geek. We have much more power than you think to determine where technology is going, and most of us prefer open source solutions to proprietary ones. After all, it is us that creates the technology.
Get on the ball application developers. Give us a choice.
Get on the ball application developers. Give us a choice.
Microsoft has predictably painted itself into a corner, but the enterprise will most likely choose to deal with the devil they know rather than roll the dice.
The open source movement must develop and employ a strategy for the long view. That's what we're talking about with regard to skill sets and, more importantly, the product's ability to play well with others as enterprise scales up and demands more from its implementation.
Microsoft used a well-oiled marketing machine to manage its smoke and mirrors. What will the Linux community do differently to provide developers with the incentive to adequately tackle these issues? When the momentum is in place, the skills will follow.
- The window of opportunity is opening.....
-
by djugan
August 31, 2004 12:03 PM PDT
- ...for Linux in the business environment at all levels. The OS is, arguably, ready for prime time. The question remains: Can the open source movement now develop a sound business model that will address a meaningful reduction in total cost of ownership -- not just an inexpensive entry.
-
Reply to this comment
-
-
- inexpensive entry
-
by George Cole
June 16, 2007 1:34 PM PDT
- http://www.analogstereo.com/mitsubishi_eclipse_owners_manual.htm
-
-
- well-oiled marketing
-
by Jesica Alba
July 10, 2007 4:49 AM PDT
- http://www.analogstereo.com/mazda_truck_b_series_owners_manual.htm
-
-
See all 40 Comments >>Microsoft has predictably painted itself into a corner, but the enterprise will most likely choose to deal with the devil they know rather than roll the dice.
The open source movement must develop and employ a strategy for the long view. That's what we're talking about with regard to skill sets and, more importantly, the product's ability to play well with others as enterprise scales up and demands more from its implementation.
Microsoft used a well-oiled marketing machine to manage its smoke and mirrors. What will the Linux community do differently to provide developers with the incentive to adequately tackle these issues? When the momentum is in place, the skills will follow.