Linux is rapidly outgrowing its hackers' roots, and entering the business
arena. Its major strength is its unbeatable price/performance ratio as a 7
days/week, 24 hours a day server, in all kinds of network environments,
including Microsoft's. Little by little, its desktop applications are
gaining market share too, but acceptance stumbles over the dominance of the
Microsoft Office programs. However, since the massive adoption last year of
Linux as an official operating system by all major hardware vendors, also
the last excuses for business people not to give Linux a try in one form or
another have disappeared:
- professional service contracts are available, at different sources,
and at all possible levels.
- multiple commercial vendors offer pre-installed Linux computers,
including multi-processor boards, graphical acceleration cards,
and Raid-5 hard disk arrays.
- professional software products are being released for Linux. Some of
them are even compatible with the dominating market Office products.
- because of its low price, high robustness and modularity, Linux is
creating new markets: cheap appliances, Internet computers, real-time
embedded systems, etc.
- many development tools originating in the Linux community allow to
develop applications to run on multiple hardware and software
platforms, including Windows and commercial UNIX systems. These tools
range from graphical windowing modules, over compilers, to high end
3D animation and visualisation.
- a whole generation of young people is coming into contact with Linux,
and profit from the occasion to become well-versed in advanced
computer and software technology. These people will soon enter the
professional IT market, ready to add their substantial technical
skills with a reduced need for company-sponsored training.
- Linux certification programs have been set up worldwide, making it
easier for businesses to find the people they need.
- business people slowly begin to realize that money can be made with
Linux: the fact that Linux itself is free and open does not mean that
one is not allowed to sell services, or to release commercial
software that works with it.
Here
is a very good, more detailed article discussing the business opportunities
of Linux, together with its current weaknesses.
Here is a list of
companies that use Linux in their daily activities.
Related links
