Linux Basics
Linux Fundamentals and Certification is gaining popularity as an operating system. In fact, even Microsoft Corp.'s Bill Gates contracted a VAR to create for him an archiving system based on Linux. To date, the number of Linux users are pegged between seven million to 10 million, making it clear that it is ready to compete with both NT and UNIX. Although Linux is mostly used by small and midsize (SMB) businesses, it is predicted that corporate America would soon follow suit.
To cite, a research conducted by "InformationWeek" magazine revealed that 30% of IT managers at major corporations either use or plan to use Linux in the next few months. Of those who reported that they use Linux, 24% said that they use the OS on servers, while 48% said that they plan to do the same in the coming 12 months. While it is clear that Linux offers VARs an opportunity to earn more, it is advised that they first be acquainted with the Linux landscape. To date, there are four primary vendors of Linux, namely, Pacific Hi-Tech Inc. (Tokyo, Japan), Red Hat Software Inc.(Research Triangle Park, NC), Caldera Systems Inc.(Orem, UT), and SuSE AG (Nuremberg, Germany).
VARs that are planning to enter the Asian market should consider working with Pacific Hi-Tech as it is reported that it owns half of the market in Japan. Those who intend to enter the European market, however, are advised to go with SuSE. Red Hat claims to have seven million users of Linux, while Caldera has about 700 VARs selling its Linux package. When selling Linux, VARs should emphasize its low cost and stability. Also, since Linux is still in its infancy, VARs should remember to establish first a good relationship with the customer to facilitate the selling of Linux. Article discusses the obstacles that hinder Linux from becoming a mainstream OS and the potential competition it may have with Microsoft's NT.
And the Linux Fundamentals and Certification mascot, a smiling penguin, isn't popping up just in Gates' town. It's become one of the most recognizable icons in the computer industry. The free Unix-based OS that Linus Torvalds created as a University of Helsinki student in 1991 is being hailed by some Linux die-hards as an "NT killer." To find out if Linux Fundamentals and Certification is ready for prime time, VARBusiness conducted dozens of interviews with VARs, distributors and vendors. The conclusion: Linux is a real market force, battering both NT and traditional Unix. And if big-name vendors keep their commitments of major financial and product support, the movement will only get stronger. But it's still young, and there is much missionary work ahead. That makes it unlikely many large VARs will seriously pursue Linux. So, there's a great opportunity for small and midsize VARs who are willing to eat lots of dust on the trail to large profits. Detractors are finding it increasingly difficult to ignore the momentum of Linux Fundamentals and Certification, which researchers say has between 7 million and 10 million users.
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