“The Linux support services market is on the launch pad, gearing
up for blastoff. According to IDC, this market will skyrocket
from $28 million in 2000 to $285 million in 2004 – a tenfold
increase.”
“Although it’s still small in terms of the overall support
business, Linux support is rapidly growing,” said Ana Volpi,
manager for IDC’s Software Support and Integration program. “As
Linux is deployed more frequently in large companies and
non-technical firms, providers will have more opportunity for
support, particularly for annual contracts and high-level
support.”
“According to IDC, several trends point to this market’s
explosive growth. The international growth of the Linux
installed base, particularly in Europe and Asia, the increasing
penetration of Linux more deeply into the enterprise
infrastructure, and the small but growing popularity of Linux on
smaller products such as cell phones will fuel opportunities for
vendors to jump in and lend support.”