Where does Linux fit in the business desktop?

I admit, I get inspired by reading other articles. Some are good, some leave a bit to be desired. Some just don't go far enough into the discussion.

First off, just what is the business desktop? Who uses it?

Who are the mystery 'power users' in a business environment that don't use the same tools to do their job that every one in the company uses?

While it's true that there are some jobs in a business that require the use of more 'specialized' software that not everyone else will use. For example, the marketing/PR dept will make use of graphics and video software that not many others will need. R&D will make use of CAD software not many others will need. Accounting might use software not everyone else will use. You get the idea.

Many, if not most, of the users in business need access to 'typical' productivity applications. Word processors, spreadsheets, database front ends or just quick and dirty databases for smaller needs. Web access, perhaps multi-media apps, PDF viewers, instant messaging, email, calendars and scheduling apps.

The difference is the applications, not the OS.

So what's the big deal about the OS? Well, the OS is only as good as the apps written to run on it, many will tell you.

That is a yes and no kind of statement in my thinking. On one hand, you want an OS that is secure and streamlined. Accessible and available to hardware. Aha, that is a big one, hardware.

While many people read the headline articles and forum posts about a Linux distro having trouble with a given piece of hardware, the truth of it is, more often than not, Linux has more accessibility to hardware than most other OS's. Only the newest, latest,greatest stuff that doesn't already come with Linux drivers will have to wait until some interested coder puts one together for it.

Just what hardware does the typical business use in it's offices and production areas? The latest, greatest? Not usually. Yes, the bigger enterprise level corporations with tremendous budgets will buy brand new computers in volume.

interestingly enough, according to an SBA report updated in Sept, 2008, small business makes up 99.7% of all employers in the U.S.

Yes, 99.7%. That is not a misprint. Even so, most marketing and pricing is targeted to enterprise and 'big' business.

Small businesses are using what they have available. They are watching costs closer than perhaps anyone else in the business world. They might buy computers new, but they keep hardware longer and are more likely to maintain the status quo in order to just keep things cost effective and lower in general.

However, small business are also more likely and able to re purpose older hardware. Sure, while a warranty on a computer is in effect, it makes the most sense to keep what is on there as is. once that warranty is up though, it becomes a liability. In which case you are making the best of the situation as is. Small businesses can't always afford to just hop out there and buy new computers every three years.

So Where does Linux come in? When it's time to move on. When your windows is about to fall out of support from MS and they are telling you you must buy the next version, think of Linux.

Linux is absolutely terrific for clerical workers, production shop computers and any others that simply need connectivity to the network for Internet access, email, printing reports and orders, etc...

Most likely, it will do just fine on the top brass computers as well. It's not too often the CEO, CIO or vice presidents 'need' specialized niche software. Most of it is already web based anyway. As more applications are developed to be presented as web based and accessed by browsers, it makes Linux even more appealing to more categories of users in the business.

Linux servers in business is no secret. They are reliable, secure, cost less to maintain. Also, there is an ever growing pool of server distributed, web based applications available for Linux to make day to day user apps available using a web browser, which makes whatever OS the end user has installed negligible.

In fact, there are a lot of businesses that rely on chain stores to distribute goods and services that rely on AS400 and distributed access to centralized servers already. All the chain store location computers are doing are logging into the main servers at the company's main offices and acting as thin clients. Linux is an ace in that market.

As a matter of fact, Linux terminal servers are well known for their uptime and accessibility. Also, Linux is also well known for working out ways to work with and communicate with other systems. so you can have an AS400 client on a Linux desktop as easily as you can on a Windows desktop.

Improved TCO in hardware comes again in new hardware as Linux ibecomes more available on pre-installed systems.

Some 'big name' vendors are carrying more and more pre-installed Linux options like HP, Lenovo and Dell. As the appeal for low cost and open source increases, small businesses will be able to bring in Linux machines with warranties on new hardware.

So, what's the overall advice of this post to small businesses in regard to adopting Linux?

1) Re-purpose hardware that is due for upgrading to a new version of OS. Instead of paying for a new license, install Linux instead and decrease your TCO on your hardware. Use the re purposed computer for personnel who don't need specialized niche software that only runs on proprietary OS's. After investigating the options available in Linux, I would bet you find there aren't that many users in your office that can't use an OpenSource alternative for a lot of those 'specialized' apps.

2) Be aware of the new hardware offerings from recognized brand vendors. Not only will you get the lower cost ( in some cases) related to using Linux as an OS, but you get new hardware with the warranties just as with any other OS you might pay for.

3) "Try before you buy". You can research all the software available to Linux and alternatives to Windows or Apple applications for free, on your own time before you pay for anything in terms of new hardware or otherwise. Also, test various installs and 'distros' of Linux on the computers you have in your business already. if you have one machine that isn't doing anything, use it for a test bed to see which distro works best on the hardware ( if it's exemplary of the rest of the machines in your business) and to see which distro looks and performs most to your business interests and needs.


4) Start small. take it one machine at a time. Don't overwhelm your staff with immediate and drastic changes. Change out a few machines for Linux machines and follow those users to get input and try various apps that might work better for them and the needs of the tasks they are doing.

There is no pint in trying to convince businesses and other users to switch to Linux wholesale if they have paid money for a system. if it is still viable in terms of support and the license is still valid, use it, don't ditch something just for the sake of change. That's just throwing money away.

Wait till the cost of replacing has been removed. When the license needs to be renewed or there is no choice but to pay for a software upgrade. That's when you consider bringing another software system in.Anyone in business can appreciate good value. Extending the life of a machine or many machines they paid good money for only makes sense. Especially if they can do it with software that is lower in cost ( if not outright free) than what was previously installed.

Linux is good for business if brought in properly.