Enterprise Linux Today: In Context: Linux to Reach Critical Mass in 2001?

"Deployments are "where the rubber hits the road" with Linux. When a company takes the risk and commits its resources to a Linux-based system to perform "mission-critical" business functions, that is, ultimately, the only sort of benchmark that really counts in the business world."

"A large portion of proprietary software purchased by businesses is not acquired directly from the company that produces the software. It is acquired through a "sales channel" ("the channel" in sales and marketing parlance), which consists of value-added resellers (VARs) and independent software vendors (ISVs). The vast majority of VARs and ISVs today are geared up to work with Microsoft Windows, applications, and developer tools. ... This is where IBM's initiative to package its enterprise Linux applications in a bundle for small businesses at a bargain basement price comes in. The drastically reduced pricing isn't intended to attract the small and medium size businesses that need the software -- it's to attract the VARs and ISVs who service those businesses!"

"So about a year from now, around the end of 2001, these two trends should converge. ... As the details of successful Linux deployments are reported -- in conferences, in the trade press, and in the market research of Gartner Group and similar organizations -- and the reports are along the lines of "we did it, it works great, and we saved $22 million in the first year," the question asked by IT managers starts to shift. It shifts from "can Linux do it?" to "how can we get Linux to do it here?" And about that same time, the VARs and ISVs newly geared up to support Linux should be able to provide plenty of answers -- along with all the Linux companies, and the big commercial vendors like IBM."

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Related Stories -- big Linux deployments:
LinuxWorld: IBM announces rollout of 15,000 Linux servers; More to come(Nov 04, 2000)
Enterprise Linux Today: Tesco to use Linux in 20,000 checkout lanes in eight countries (Oct 30, 2000)
In Context: Linux in the Enterprise; Where the Rubber Has Hit the Road(Sep 15, 2000)
LinuxPR: NetLedger Launches Powerful, Consolidated Data Center; Industry's Largest Deployment of Oracle on Linux(Mar 29, 2000)
ComputerWorld: Burlington Coat Factory Finds That Linux Runs Smoothly, Despite Lack of Support(Aug 09, 1999)
ComputerWorld: Cendant Will Book Linux into 4,000 Hotels(Mar 10, 1999)

Related Stories -- IBM's big blue Linux push:
TechRepublic/Gartner: IBM aims at Microsoft by offering small-business VARs a Linux suite(Nov 22, 2000)
Enerprise Linux Today: IBM's Small Business Suite; Enterprise Software on a Small Business Budget(Nov 09, 2000)
Enterprise Linux Today: In Context: IBM's DB2 7.1 EEE: Pushing the Envelope for Enterprise Linux(Oct 26, 2000)
IT-Analysis: IBM surfs the Linux tidal wave; Linux surging in Germany(Oct 20, 2000)
IT-Analysis: IBM backs Linux Everywhere; May be Most Critical Development Yet for Linux(Oct 10, 2000)

Related Stories -- market researchers coming around:
TechRepublic/Gartner: IBM aims at Microsoft by offering small-business VARs a Linux suite(Nov 22, 2000)
ZDNet: Linux use flourishing(Nov 15, 2000)
eWeek: Zona survey finds aggressive Linux deployments planned(Nov 09, 2000)
Windows 2000 'not ready for web servers'; Linux becoming most secure OS - Gartner(Nov 07, 2000)
Enterprise Linux Today: Linux suffers, but prospects look good - Gartner(Oct 17, 2000)
LinuxWorld.com.au: IDC forecasts strong growth for Linux(Oct 17, 2000)
Gartner Group: Is Marriage to Unix the Answer to Enterprise Linux? (Oct 15, 2000)
Enterprise Linux Today: IDC outlines server market trends(Sep 29, 2000)

Related Stories -- Linux moving up to high end:
Enterprise Linux Today: In Context: IBM's DB2 7.1 EEE: Pushing the Envelope for Enterprise Linux(Oct 26, 2000)
Enterprise Linux Today: Oracle9i Will Catapult Linux into the Enterprise(Oct 05, 2000)
In Context: The Handwriting's On The Wall; Proprietary Unices Are Morphing into a Future Super-Linux(Sep 22, 2000)
CRN: Linux Mania [Spreads to Corporate Data Center](Apr 02, 2000)