Linux Makes Corporate Inroads

Attendees saw products such as Xandros' new business desktop, Red Hat's provisioning module, Novell's ExteNd 5 and Groupwise beta, and Sybase's IQ 12.5 business intelligence products on Linux, as well as Sun Microsystems' plans for Java Enterprise System for Linux and IBM's 64-bit "Stinger" database on Linux. And Veritas unveiled expanded Linux platform support for SUSE Linux and VMware and the availability of OpForce 3.2 automated provisioning software with Linux support and Veritas Cluster Server running on the VMware ESX Server.

E-mail was also a key focus. Scalix previewed what it calls "enterprise-class" messaging for Linux that's built on core OpenMail technology acquired from Hewlett-Packard.

Though IBM, HP, Sun and Computer Associates didn't officially launch products at LinuxWorld, they trotted out names of Linux customers on Intel/AMD platforms, including Cisco Systems, National Semiconductor, Northern Trust, BEA Systems and the PGA Tour. IBM also launched an ISV program to speed Linux development on its 64-bit Power processors.

Computer Associates demonstrated the upcoming 3-D "Looking Glass" technology to be built into the Java Enterprise Desktop, designed to match or leapfrog the user interface for Microsoft's Longhorn. Xandros, a Sun Linux competitor, unveiled Xandros Desktop OS Business Edition, which offers full compatibility with Microsoft Office, Microsoft Active Directory integration and drag-and-drop features.

Gerard McGowen, vice president of technology and services at Innovative Systems Design, said the Edison, N.J.-based solution provider has sold a number of Sun's month-old Linux-based Enterprise Java Desktops to call centers. "These companies are being crushed under the weight of their infrastructure," he said. "Now these customers have a choice."