Open-source for business

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New technologies and cost savings

Open-source can provide the means of access to technologies that might not otherwise be available, which stimulates development from unexpected sources. For instance, both the NASA Mars Rover, and the related but under-funded UK Beagle project, used Linux as their core operating system because they were able to access and modify the code to suit their purposes. Similarly, the US National Security Administration (NSA) was able to release its own security enhanced modifications to the Linux kernel, which are being considered by the UK Cabinet Office for implementation on high security projects in the public sector.

Linux is most widely used these days for application and database servers, but according to Jollans: "there are also interesting developments on the desktop, based around Eclipse," the open source Java development tool for cross-platform GUI applications. As a proof of concept IBM have ported non-trivial applications of Lotus Notes and Lotus Sametime using Eclipse, "which opens the way for serious business applications to be entirely portable between Linux and Windows."

The biggest hindrance to the adoption of the Linux desktop has been the shortage of native applications, despite the support of the many ISVs with certified applications on Novell SUSE and Red Hat. Jollans notes that the first consideration of an ISV in supporting another platform is: "What is the incremental cost? What is the incremental opportunity? Eclipse removes the roadblock."

Jollans believes that the imminent release of Vista, and the availability of Eclipse present an opportunity for Linux to take off on the desktop. Linux has already arrived on the desktop in certain sectors, for call centres, for retail outlets and developer workstations, and there has been steady uptake in the public sector throughout Europe, "but if you get more market share you get more applications," he says, "and if you get more applications you get more market share."

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