Part I: Developing a Linux Desktop Strategy

Desktop computing plays such a large role in the daily operations of so many businesses that developing a successful strategy for adoption of Linux in the enterprise requires serious thought and research. The first part of this book will discuss the strategies and elements that may influence the decision for Linux desktop adoption. We will be specifically looking at the cost benefit of particular situations throughout the enterprise where Linux can make the biggest positive impact. Strategies for desktop Linux adoption will vary by enterprise. While anecdotal stories and TCO studies are usually good sources of information, you should acknowledge that rarely do the conditions in one organization exactly mimic those in another.

As you are reading about desktop strategy, take note where in your enterprise certain advantageous situations arise, and conversely look for potential pitfalls for adoption as noted in the examples. Keeping a few themes in mind as you move forward will give you the best perspective on desktop Linux.

Desktop Linux is an evolving operating system. As each day passes, more applications become available and significant improvements occur in application quality and operating system enhancements. This is due in large part to a global community comprised of individuals and companies that are contributing improvements and fixing flaws. At the same time, new users are adopting the operating system and providing demand for these products. This evolution is happening faster in some areas than others, and your research today may indicate that an immediate change in operating system is not warranted, though it will become obvious that it has potential as a future solution. Linux is a moving target and understanding how it may become the ideal solution and watching for that point on the horizon will allow you to capitalize on these events.

Second, future desktop deployments may look different then they do today. Advancement of pervasive network access vis-à-vis wireless connectivity is unfettering desktop computing from a hard-wired connection. Thin client computing and other hosted application solutions will allow the enterprise to combine the flexibility of mobile computing with powerful Intel- and AMD-based servers that can provide a great deal of horsepower at minimal cost. By watching trends and rethinking the way you compute, you may find that a PC with local storage and processing running a proprietary operating system no longer makes sense. You may come to the realization that to continue to be competitive in business, IT costs must be brought in check and value solutions become the norm rather than leading-edge technologies that offer little return on investment.

The following chapters offer a state of the union for Linux combined with forward-looking statements on how desktop Linux adoption is progressing. Using Microsoft Windows as a reference, the following strategic look at desktop Linux should offer an understanding of forces affecting Linux on the desktop and provide foreshadowing of the tactics to be discussed later on.