Google's
Chrome OS, announced last week, is likely to be the first
cloud-oriented operating system. It is designed to run web-based
applications, which many believe will take over from traditional
desktop applications.
If Chrome OS succeeds in being light, fast, secure and
web-application friendly, many believe it will only be a matter of
time until it challenges Microsoft's position as the dominant
operating system supplier.
Google plans to begin the assault by focusing on netbook PCs,
which need a more lightweight operating system and are not yet
dominated by Windows. But over time, the operating system could
make in-roads into desktop PCs.
Chrome will attract the attention of consumers first, but it
could find applications in businesses, particularly those that have
large numbers of staff who do not need access to
processing-intensive applications.
Potential business users
Andrew Gough, cloud offer development manager at Capgemini, says
businesses that already benefit from Google Apps could get a boost
from Chrome OS. "These are businesses that have few heavy-duty
users and a small back-office workforce compared with the shop
floor," he says.
Retailers, where a large proportion of the workforce typically
do not have access to computers or the internet, are one
example.
"If Chrome OS succeeds in being fast, simple and secure, it
could provide the first business case for digitally enabling
currently disenfranchised workers," he says.
"Businesses will be able to automate processes that can be
accessed on a self-service basis to reduce the currently high
levels of management input needed."
Ray Valdes, research director at Gartner, says, "It will be
three to five years before Chrome OS has any impact on the
enterprise sector, but success will depend on delivering a better
user experience from the outset."
Ronan Miles, chairman of the UK Oracle User Group, says business
will treat Chrome in the same way as other consumer products.
"Some will pick it up, but many will view it as a change that
needs to prove itself. It will really depend on how the business
uses IT," he says.
Bob Tarzey, analyst at Quocirca, points out that Chrome OS is
little more than an announcement at present. But the announcement
serves to disrupt the market and create uncertainty, which is an
old Microsoft tactic.
"Google knows it must drive business to web applications, and
Chrome OS will give it the chance to partner with device
manufacturers to enable easier access," he says.
Gough says Google's announcement is equivalent to what Microsoft
calls "educating the market". "It will serve to get developers
thinking and to alert consumers, who may hold off upgrading to
Windows 7 until Chrome OS is released," he says.
Don't believe the hype
But others are sceptical. There has been much speculation that
Chrome OS will end Microsoft's dominance, but there will be no
immediate showdown, says Laurent Lachal, senior analyst at Ovum.
"Google likes to experiment, but not all experiments are
successful," he says.
Lachal also points out that, despite the hype, Google's previous
departure into software, the Chrome browser, has not made much
impact, making up less than 2% of the browser market.
"Chrome OS is to focus initially on netbooks - a very small
market segment - and any advances against Microsoft's dominant
position with Windows will be slow," he says.
The cost implications of changing to an entirely new operating
system requiring new skills to use may mean that businesses will be
slow to adopt the Google operating system.
If nothing else, Chrome OS promises to shake up the market and
stimulate innovation, which can only benefit the end-user.
Nick Jones, vice-president at Gartner, says existing operating
systems have accumulated 20 years of architectural detritus. "It is
impossible to make them secure or usable and it is time to start
again," he says.
Despite widespread enthusiasm for an operating system like that
planned by Google, Chrome OS, like the browser, will take time to
make an impact. ●