Major IT vendors, including IBM and Novell, are investing heavily in Linux-based alternatives to Microsoft Windows. However, the conservative cultures of most small and midsize businesses (SMBs) are inhibiting widespread adoption of Linux.

Gartner research has revealed that approximately 30 percent of North American SMBs have deployed Linux in their enterprise, but among those companies, Linux runs on less than 5 percent of their servers.

While SMB Linux adoption has grown, the use of Linux among SMBs to date has been relegated to a limited role in support of non-core functions in the production environment, such as firewalls and virtual private network (VPN) servers.

Foot-Dragging on Linux misses the point
The mistake that many SMBs are making is to wait to see if Linux becomes mainstream. Instead, SMBs should consider an architecture in which Windows and Linux co-exist, tactically seeking areas that Linux can provide point-solutions at a better price/performance level than Windows.

Linux and Windows will be the two primary OS’s in midsize businesses worldwide accounting for nearly 80 percent share by 2008 (0.7 probability).

Linux can be leverage for better response
Even major issues with Microsoft licensing and security vulnerabilities have not been sufficient to push SMBs more towards Linux. These SMBs with Windows or legacy OS environments with some dissatisfaction in current service, support or vendor/product viability, should gain some experience or tactical deployments with Linux to understand its fit and potential benefits in their infrastructure. Even if the intent is only to get feet wet, it may pay to have some Linux visibility - from an experience level as well as a negotiating leverage.

Linux need not necessarily be an all or nothing commitment. Just mentioning serious evaluation of Linux to an ISV, Microsoft business partner or Microsoft itself may get better responsiveness and more favorable negotiated pricing.

The transition between upgrades could be the tipping point for Linux
During the next OS lifecycle upgrade, SMBs should evaluate reseller and ISV partner programs and strategies toward a Linux alternative, if it exists, as a means of improving negotiation leverage and choice. In general, the best time to consider Linux is at the transition point from NT to Windows 2000 or 2003, or off of other operating systems (i.e. Netware or OS400), all of which are essentially plagued with limited life, end of cycle upgrades or questions of vendor viability.