Linux Software Management Solutions is Moving into the Enterprise, According to Aberdeen Group Emerging Linux Companies Discover an Important Revenue Stream

Business Wire, March 13, 2002

Business/Technology Editors

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 13, 2002

Recently released research by Aberdeen Group, a leading market analysis and positioning services firm, states that several Linux-based software suppliers are selling software management solutions for Linux systems. These solutions remove one of the primary roadblocks to deploying Linux systems in the enterprise -- lack of software management tools. This research is a result of Aberdeen's enterprise Linux practice, which covers both emerging and established companies offering Linux products.

"There is a growing demand for Linux software management solutions as Linux moves into the enterprise," says Bill Claybrook, Aberdeen Research Director, Linux and Open Source Software. "However, in order for them to have an impact in the marketplace, the solutions must be able to integrate with enterprise network and systems management solutions."

The challenges of managing Linux software largely result from having hundreds of common components and libraries shared across applications. Thus, the process of updating one application can lead to dependency conflicts that may "break" another application. Linux software management solutions have solved this problem by automatically detecting dependencies and conflicts, and making the install-and-remove software package operations simple and safe, one-step tasks.

The report, entitled "Software Management Solutions from Linux Suppliers" covers products, targeted markets, and business strategies for several emerging Linux-based companies. In addition to helping users sort through the multiple offerings and various partnering strategies now underway, the report provides a competitive analysis and ranking of available solutions. In addition, it notes the solution providers that have the best chances for success in the future.

Profiled solutions include Aduva Director; Caldera Volution Online; Caldera Volution Manager; Red Hat Network; Turbolinux PowerCockpit; Ximian Red Carpet.

To read an overview of the full Linux report entitled "Software Management Solutions from Linux Suppliers," read the Aberdeen InSight entitled "Linux-Based Software Management Solutions: An Emerging Revenue Stream for Large and Small Companies" by clicking here: http://www.aberdeen.com/ab_abstracts/2002/02/02020004.htm. For more information about Linux software management solutions, contact Bill Claybrook at claybrook@aberdeen.com or (617) 854-5256.

About Aberdeen

Since 1988, Aberdeen has been a leader in providing market analysis and positioning services that help business technology suppliers meet the challenge of establishing leadership in fast-changing markets. Aberdeen is headquartered in Boston, MA, and has research divisions in Palo Alto, CA; Fort Collins, CO; and Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Aberdeen is accessible via the Web at www.aberdeen.com.