Linux momentum slow, but building

Linux has significant traction and the support of developers and industry giants such as IBM, HP and Oracle, but corporations intending to migrate to Linux, or any other platform for that matter, should only do so once they can satisfactorily answer how a software operating system migration, upgrade or wholesale switch to another platform can deliver tangible technology benefits, better return on investment (ROI) and improve the total cost of ownership (TCO).

In a report on the total cost of ownership of Linux, Unix and Windows, research company the Yankee Group found that only four percent of Unix users planned to migrate Unix servers to Linux in the next two years, with the number of Windows customers intending to move to Linux a little higher at 11 percent.

The report did find that while wholesale migration may be at quite a low level, those looking to add some Linux servers to a predominantly Windows environment – a partial migration., if you will – was significantly higher at around 21 percent.

Additionally, the report said the list of Linux distributors and third-party ISVs joining established vendors, such as Red Hat, Novell (SuSE), Debian and others, is growing monthly.

"Our conversations with end users cemented the Yankee Group’s belief that no operating system is right for everyone," said Laura DiDio, Application Infrastructure & Software Platforms senior analyst. “Each company must look within, make a realistic assessment of their existing software operating system infrastructure and decide whether the current infrastructure meets your company’s current and planned business needs and goals. Balance your business requirements against your current and future budget and then chart your technology course."

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