Linux desktop adoption "easier than expected"

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Linux desktop adoption has been found to be “easier than expected” according to a report from Freeform Dynamics.

The report, published this week, said: “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.”

The study showed that by targeting the right end-users for Linux adoption it is much simpler than many expect it to be. However, it highlighted that the actual process of rolling Linux out within an organisation is where the delays usually occur.

The report. by Dale Vile and Martin Atherton, said: “The majority of desktop Linux adopters have only rolled out to less than 20 per cent of their total PC user base at the moment, though the opportunity for more extensive deployment is clearly identified.”

“In order for Linux to reach its full potential in an organisation, however, it is necessary to pay particular attention to challenges in the areas of targeting, user acceptance and application compatibility.”

The report also said the main reason people adopt Linux is the cost savings it offers, with over 70 per cent listing it as their “primary driver.”

The online survey, sponsored by IBM, questioned 1,275 IT professionals from countries including the UK and US.

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