"As Linux steps beyond the limits of technical applications, business intelligence (BI) is one area that's leading the way. In a rash of recent BI announcements at LinuxWorld and elsewhere, many vendors are developing new business models, while consciously giving customers a choice between Linux and other operating systems--and in some cases, between commercial and open source implementations, too.
"Even outside the issue of underlying OS, BI is a hot spot right now for software and services, anyway, according to some industry statistics. For instance, in one recent study--conducted by CompTIA with research firm TNS Prognostics--VAR customers said they expect their business will grow by at least 40 percent in these five areas: BI (8 percent); wireless networks (8 percent); network security (12 percent); managed services (13 percent); and VOIP (13 percent)..."
