I-75
December 4th, 2008, 02:01 PM
IBM, Canonical release 'Microsoft-free' virtual Linux desktop bundle
http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&taxonomyName=windows&articleId=9122378&taxonomyId=125&intsrc=kc_top
December 4, 2008 (Computerworld) IBM and Canonical Inc. today announced a virtualized software bundle combining Lotus desktop applications running on top of Ubuntu Linux that they say is far cheaper than running Microsoft Corp.'s Office suite on conventional Windows PCs.
It's the latest salvo in IBM's ongoing battle to break Microsoft's stranglehold on the desktop.
According to IBM, the virtual Linux desktop suite could cost, for large companies, as little as $59 per worker. That would include a minimal configuration of $49 for the VERDE desktop virtualization software from a third vendor, Virtual Bridges, $10 for Ubuntu Linux support, and no cost for the Lotus Symphony productivity software.
A full-fledged Linux desktop solution that includes Lotus Notes e-mail, Sametime instant messaging, and other collaboration tools would cost $258 per user, according to IBM.
Customers would also save on labor costs due to reduced maintenance from moving to a server-side solution, said Inna Kuznetsova, director of Linux strategy for IBM, as well as lower hardware costs by extending the lifespan of desktop PCs.
"This is hopefully the first step in multiple announcements to come from us," she said.
http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&taxonomyName=windows&articleId=9122378&taxonomyId=125&intsrc=kc_top
December 4, 2008 (Computerworld) IBM and Canonical Inc. today announced a virtualized software bundle combining Lotus desktop applications running on top of Ubuntu Linux that they say is far cheaper than running Microsoft Corp.'s Office suite on conventional Windows PCs.
It's the latest salvo in IBM's ongoing battle to break Microsoft's stranglehold on the desktop.
According to IBM, the virtual Linux desktop suite could cost, for large companies, as little as $59 per worker. That would include a minimal configuration of $49 for the VERDE desktop virtualization software from a third vendor, Virtual Bridges, $10 for Ubuntu Linux support, and no cost for the Lotus Symphony productivity software.
A full-fledged Linux desktop solution that includes Lotus Notes e-mail, Sametime instant messaging, and other collaboration tools would cost $258 per user, according to IBM.
Customers would also save on labor costs due to reduced maintenance from moving to a server-side solution, said Inna Kuznetsova, director of Linux strategy for IBM, as well as lower hardware costs by extending the lifespan of desktop PCs.
"This is hopefully the first step in multiple announcements to come from us," she said.