“Open source platform developer Red Hat expects to ship its
Linux 7.1 operating system imminently, with improvements for better
multiprocessor performance and virus protection. However, some
analysts argued that few European firms will invest in operating
systems upgrades during a period when IT budgets are tight….”
“Despite the firm’s optimism about the product, Alan
Pelz-Sharpe, principal consultant at industry watcher Ovum, had
reservations over the timing of the launch. ‘This release is not
going to impact the market. You can look at all the improvements
for users, but there’s no getting away from economic conditions,’
he said. ‘Look at Cisco’s problems. It’s infrastructure that takes
the first big hit when IT spending falls. If what you’ve got works,
it’s tough to build a business case for upgrading the
‘invisibles’.”