10 Years of IBM Linux: Embracing Customer Choice

“Q&A with IBM’s Jonathan Prial Involved with Linux since
IBM’s initial entry into the space more than 10 years ago, Jonathan
Prial is now vice president of enablement for sales teams at IBM.
Here, he talks with The Linux Executive Report from IBM about IBM’s
early presence in the Linux market, how he sees Linux use evolving,
and why it’s important to be a student for life in the world of
technology.

“Linux Executive Report: What is the scope of your
responsibility at IBM in your position as vice president of
enablement?

“Prial: I manage a small team and extended teams across the
geographies and our software brands that focus on the training and
skills of our software group sales force of over 15,000
professionals. We focus on their selling skills, their product and
solution skills as well as their industry skills, and Linux is
obviously part of that mainstream activity across the company.

“Linux Executive Report: How did you first become involved with
Linux and what was your role at that time?

“Prial: In 1997, I was responsible for the marketing of IBM
software on Windows NT. At that time, I was given the mission to
work across software groups and build a marketing plan for our
presence on Windows NT. We were working with all of the Software
brands to showcase the kind of capabilities we delivered on Windows
NT. It was a very close parallel to what we did later with
Linux.”

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