TechRepublic/Gartner: IBM plans big investments in Linux to level playing field with Microsoft & Sun

"IBM will make substantial investments in Linux in 2001 to mount a multipronged attack--with technology, marketing, and services--against UNIX competitors and Windows 2000."

"So far, only rapid adopters of technology that have enough expertise in UNIX to engage in serious implementations have picked Linux. However, IBM's marketing drive has stepped into high gear, and IBM leads traditional vendors as the Linux champion. Since the Linux market and technology are relatively immature, Gartner does not expect IBM to realize a significant return on its investment until at least 2003."

"However, IBM is investing for an even longer horizon; it believes that Linux will unseat Sun and end Microsoft's dominance by 2005. For that to happen and for IBM to reach beyond the early adopters by 2001, it must address the substantial barriers Linux faces compared to UNIX and Windows--in skills, services, applications, and functions--and it must create a Linux groundswell among Internet service providers, Internet data centers, and Global 1000 firms by 2003 (0.3 probability)."

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