Report: Desktop Linux in Business Environments

Freeform Dynamics Ltd, and IBM have just released a business report titled Linux on the Desktop Lessons from mainstream business adoption.

While I'm part way through, it's already obvious that it contains a good deal of useful information on the realities of desktop Linux in a business setting.

The report's preamble states:

"The Microsoft Windows based desktop has been a fact of life in the mainstream business environment for so long now that it is often just accepted as a given. Some organisations, however, have been actively exploring and indeed successfully deploying alternatives, and the Linux based desktop is one of these. Based on candid ‘warts and all’ feedback from over a thousand experienced adopters, we take a practical look at the use of desktop Linux in a real world business context."

The key findings are:

*     Desktop Linux adoption is primarily driven by cost reduction

*     But deployment is currently limited, and challenges to further adoption frequently exist

*     Selective deployment based on objective targeting will yield the highest ROI and acceptance

*     Linux desktop roll out is easier than expected for properly targeted end-user groups

*     A focus on usability reflects a maturing of thinking


You can download the (PDF) report from here.