A Yankee Group survey claims that Linux costs more than
Windows to run.
Companies are well aware that, though Linux is free or almost
free to acquire, running costs are high, whether enterprises roll
their own support or pay the "hefty premiums for must-have items
like technical service and support, product warranties and
licensing indemnification", the study said.
Analyst and author Laura DiDio, who questioned IT managers and
executives globally, said, "Corporate customers report Linux does
indeed provide businesses with excellent performance, reliability,
ease of use and security.
"Hype notwithstanding, Linux' technical merits - while
first-rate - are equivalent but not superior to Unix and Windows
Server 2003."
She added, "There's a clear bifurcation between the high and low
ends of the market. Everyone has a Linux strategy... even if it is
just to use Linux as a stone to throw at Microsoft."
Many companies are looking at their OS strategies in the light
of the rise of Linux, according to the report, but most will stick
with Windows for the time being. Just 4% of Unix and 11% of Windows
businesses are to replace existing systems with Linux, the report
said, and fewer than 5% said they would switch desktops to Linux
from Windows.
Other points made by the study show:
- 30% liked Linux because it is more reliable
- 31% found it more secure
- 29% favoured Linux because they feared being locked into an
all-Microsoft environment
- Most large enterprises will not install Linux as a front-line
OS because it costs between 25% and 50% more in technology support
specialists than Windows
- Over the next two years, enterprises will spend as much
securing their Linux systems as they do now on their Windows
systems
- Most said they would migrate "a portion" of their Windows
servers to Linux for specialised applications
- Most switchers to Linux are coming not from Windows but from
other flavours of Unix.
Manek Dubash writes for Techworld.com