New Microsoft-Free Business Platform From IBM
IBM has announced a new initiative with ghostly reflections from the past, but perhaps with a more promising future. In a climate where business users are unimpressed by the bulky and costly lackluster Windows Vista, IBM is offering corporate customers a viable alternative. IBM has created a “Microsoft-free” virtual desktop. The platform includes a complete suite of applications that run on a backroom server. The entire system does not require any Microsoft software, which will save companies big money. Furthermore, the platform offers even bigger savings by dramatically reducing the need for expensive personal desktop computer workstations.
IBM is offering a platform that utilizes a single back-office server running the IBM suite. It can run several dozen virtual workstations. Workers will still find a keyboard and monitor at their desk. Each of these terminals utilizes a thin client, and are connected to the backoffice systems. The cost per terminal can be less than $200 each. Compared with a complete PC with the necessary hardware and power to run Microsoft Windows Vista, each virtual PC could save $750 in hardware costs and between $60 and $220 a year on electricity and air conditioning.
Natalie Lambert, an analyst with Forrester Research, says that “interest in desktop virtualization is huge.”
The new platform uses the Linux operating system and a set of IBM office applications that can be displayed on the thin clients. Because the thin client terminals don’t have processing units or hard drives, they cost substantially less. It isn’t a new concept, but the way IBM has put together this modern incarnation, the platform is poised to meet modern business computing needs. It is an up to date reinvention of one of the most efficient and long standing computing ideas dating back to before the invention of the personal computer.
Keeping the software on central computers also makes it easier to repair and upgrade. It also creates a level of security that is impossible with individual networked personal computer workstations. Furthermore, the linux backend has proven security advantages not possible with Microsoft operating systems.
“Deploying your technology this way is going to save you something more than 50% of your total costs,” says Jeff Smith, IBM’s vice president for open source and Linux. “As customers face an increasingly challenging economic situation, they’re looking at everything they’re spending money on.”
Some industry analyists argue that there will be a limited market for the IBM platform because it is powered by Linux, and many applications written to run on Microsoft Windows will not work on the IBM platform. However, new emmulation technology makes it possible to run Windows applications on a Linux based system better than ever. Also, many business applications have equally powerful Open Source counterparts. Sun Microsystem’s Open Office Suite can compete head on with Microsoft Office without falling short on features. And Open Office is able to handle documents created by Microsoft applications.
Your data is more secure on the IBM virtulization platform because the data isn’t stored on the desktop, where it is easier to steal or be compromised. Companies are looking at virtualization to meeting their business computing needs due to advantages in security, cost, and overall efficiency.
IBM’s software package also includes powerful virtualization software from Virtual Bridges Inc. of Austin, Texas, and Ubuntu Linux from Canonical Ltd. in London.