IBM is big. In my whole life IBM has been big. IBM is getting bigger. IBM’s latest annual report states,
IBM solutions typically create value by reducing a client’s operational costs or by enabling new capabilities that generate revenue. These solutions draw from an industry leading portfolio of consulting, delivery and implementation services, enterprise software, systems and financing.
Revenue was $103 billion with net income of $12 billion. They are not a monopoly. They make money the old-fashioned way, by earning it.
Recently there was a lot of talk about IBM and its relationship with GNU/Linux on desktops. This stemmed from Bob Sutor’s keynote address at LinuxCon.
I wrote to IBM and received a prompt reply to the question of IBM’s vision of GNU/Linux on the desktop. I received back links to Bob Sutor’s Blog where the context of his remarks was given more completeness. Some assumed discussing possible eventualities including failure was predicting failure. Bob Sutor may have stated that GNU/Linux was not a “drop-in replacement” for that other OS but we already knew GNU/Linux is not that other OS, thank Goodness.
Some have criticized IBM for picking the low-hanging fruit but they are a business and maximizing return on investment is part of business. IBM was ahead of the field in cultivating business in BRIC countries. That reduced their exposure to the recent downturn when those areas showed growth. Good for IBM and the world. Closer to home, IBM has lent its reputation for GNU/Linux for businesses large and small. Businesses that do more than push for sales in the current quarter appreciate that IBM has been working with GNU/Linux for many years and will be around no matter what happens. IBM does more than install PCs. They design complete integrated systems ensuring no calamities.
Clearly, IBM has been an important contributor to the GNU/Linux community and has played a major role in facilitating adoption of GNU/Linux in business. They are playing in the same league with Red Hat, Novell, SUN, and Oracle but they are the biggest. IBM do supply other technologies as well so it is not their role to promote GNU/Linux above all but it is their role to supply solutions. As long as GNU/Linux is such a good solution, they will continue to support and improve GNU/Linux. Recent moves by Red Hat with desktops shows business is ready to accept GNU/Linux. Papers on IBM’s site show that GNU/Linux is a good fit where needs are simple, where needed apps are available and when a browser can be used to access web applications. Typically, 80% of tasks can be done with GNU/Linux and a lesser number of staff positions but on a large scale the migration is worthwhile when a sufficient number of staff positions can use GNU/Linux. We have seen this in many places.
We should be grateful that IBM has taken an interest in GNU/Linux. Whether or not they actively promote GNU/linux on the desktop they will likely set up more desktop systems than the dozen next smallest such businesses. In ten years I have probably installed 1000 PCs with GNU/Linux and introduced a few thousand people to GNU/Linux. IBM in a similar period of time has completed deals with 15000 businesses, many of them larger than my total influence. Thank you, IBM. You are making the world of IT a better place.
Links about IBM:
- IBM and Linux
- Migration
- Desktop (a survey of folks who have deployed GNU/Linux)
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