Just add Linux

It's happening today and will continue to flourish. Here's why:

Linux Market Penetration: To make a change, the market needs a catalyst and that's Linux. The impact that Linux is having in the regional market is significant. With the projected growth of Linux on the server, spurred on by killer-apps like Apache and Samba, a market opportunity is born.

It's still all about business, business models and value add to the customer - just add Linux. Linux has changed a lot of things in the IT industry already, but it has not changed the fundamental way customers buy value - and the value net that they buy it from.

What is this value net? It is the network of players, including the IT vendors themselves, Independent Software Vendors (ISVs), Value Added Distributors (VADs), and Value Added Resellers (VARs) that deliver value to customers in the form of solutions.

All of these players are already incorporating Linux into their business models and solution portfolios. And they're doing it by mixing and matching the value-add they provide, often with commercially licensed software, on top of Linux, Apache and other key open source technologies.

IT Vendors are doing it. The region's largest IT vendors have embraced Linux and other open source software. IT vendors are not randomly open sourcing commercially licensed software, but they are enabling open source software on top of Linux.

In some cases those same IT vendors also open source technology to help make Linux more robust. An example is when vendors contributed Journal File System implementations to the open source community, or when vendors help accelerate the adoption and implementation of standards, like XML, by contributing an XML parser.

ISVs are doing it. ISV's are rapidly turning to Linux to capitalise on the number of Linux-based solutions being sold. They are supporting multiple hardware and software platforms all while minimising their development costs.

ISVs have created robust e-business solutions running on Linux in every major industry and solution segment, including financial, retail, customer relationship management, mid-market accounting, including collaborative applications from ISVs like SAP, SAS, ACCPAC, SAGE, QAD, JDEdwards, Marcole, Axiom, Relavis and many others.

In general, ISVs are selling their commercially licensed software for use on Linux just like they do on any other operating system. SAP, for example, uses IBM DB2 for Linux. Since early 1999, SAP has successfully supported Linux as a mature, reliable operating system for e-business solutions and created the SAP LinuxLab along with founding member IBM and others to begin integration testing of those solutions for customers.

The Channel is doing it. VARs and VADs are riding the Linux wave as well. At IBM alone, the number of business partners actively enabled for Linux grew tremendously. These VARs and VADS have not changed their business models to incorporate Linux. They provide value to customers mainly through services and the specific solutions they provide. Adding Linux support is a quick and easy way to increase their market reach.

The Market is doing it. The key pieces of the value net are in place around Linux today. While business models have been a hot topic of debate in the open source community over the last year, it is clear that a successful business model hinges on the ability to provide value-add to customers.

Even more important, is that everyone can participate in that environment - the open source community, IT vendors, ISVs, the channel and ultimately the customer.

*Indicates trademark or registered trademark of Linus Torvalds.