Is Ubuntu Linux Ready for the Enterprise? - Cost Effectiveness (
Page 2 of 2 )
With the economy ravaging the business world, cost effectiveness
matters. What's better for keeping costs down than deploying a free
operating system that will work just fine on existing hardware? Unlike
Windows Vista, which
requires most organizations to update their hardware due to
its resource-intensiveness, Ubuntu is a relatively lightweight
application. It can be installed on computers currently running Windows
XP and most employees shouldn't have any problem using the software. I
currently have Ubuntu running on a computer dating back to 2004. I
haven't experienced one problem with the software. That's a testament to
its development.
Compatibility
More often than not, the enterprise will worry about the
compatibility of
Ubuntu with existing, mission-critical software that helps the company
do
business. It's a valid concern. Windows applications won't work
with it. But thanks to emulators and virtualization software, most
companies won't have trouble running Windows applications on Ubuntu.
Granted, it's not ideal, but it works just fine on most computers. I
haven't experienced a slowdown in programs I've used. If emulation
isn't
for the enterprise, it
could also use Wine to get the job done.
Ubuntu virtualization doesn't work too differently from Windows XP mode in the
upcoming release of Windows 7. Microsoft's software might work a little
better, but it should be interesting to see how much better of an experience it
will provide. That mystery will be solved on Oct. 22 when Windows 7 is released.
The bottom line
Just a few years ago, the thought of any Linux distribution supplanting
Windows in the enterprise was unheard of. More often than not, users
would choose Mac OS X as the viable replacement to Windows. But today,
that might not be the case.
Thanks to Ubuntu, Linux can finally appeal to the mainstream, and in the
process, become a compelling alternative for enterprise users who are tired of
running in a Windows world.
Does that mean it's perfect for the enterprise? Of course not. There
are still some issues--namely, support--that Ubuntu needs to
overcome. But it's getting close. As long as it keeps being updated,
it's conceivable that Ubuntu will be perfect for the enterprise sooner
than
some might think.
And there's nothing wrong with that.
 |
/ 20 
Enterprise Applications News & Reviews 
