D. H. Brown Associates, Inc. Linux Server Vendor Strategy Study Highlights Mainstream Use in Mission-Critical Applications

Business Wire, August 13, 2003

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

PORT CHESTER, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 13, 2003

D. H. Brown Associates, Inc. (DHBA) announced the publication of its in-depth research report entitled "Linux Strategies and Solutions 2003 - Linux Server Suppliers Contend for Leadership." This report documents the Linux strategies of the market leaders -- Dell, Hewlett-Packard, IBM and Sun Microsystems, and highlights areas of distinction and difference among their offerings. Along with describing these vendors' maturing Linux strategies and offerings, the study notes Linux use by mainstream users for mission critical applications. These include Precision Response Corporation using Linux for CRM applications; Amazon.com using Linux to support a large part of their web infrastructure; and Tommy Hilfiger Corporation's use of Linux in its value-chain management application.

The study finds that Dell continues to offer a unique purchase and deployment experience with its Custom Factory Integration and remains a price leader in most segments.

The report also shows that HP has integrated Compaq into its Linux strategy and carries value from each going forward. The study cites HP's broadened Linux strategy that includes an aggressive drive to move applications to Linux and a focused solution-oriented approach.

This report shows that the Linux offerings of IBM, a vendor that has been instrumental in driving the Linux market to its present success, are strong in a number of the key areas of analysis. Specifically, IBM's server product line breadth, enterprise software portfolio, application focus and migration services are among the areas cited for their significant differentiation.

Sun continues to build its Intel server-based Linux offerings while dramatically stepping up its emphasis on affordable Linux desktop systems. Sun also links its pervasive Java and Linux strategies together as an alternative platform for new network-based applications.

According to the report's author, Pierre Fricke, EVP and Service Director DHBA, "Linux stands out as an industry phenomenon because of its rapid growth and its acceptance by enterprise customers, industry pundits, and even the financial analyst community as a mainstream information technology." The study shows that Linux has moved from an edge-of-network platform (firewalls, etc.) to a leading operating environment for high-performance technical computing, distributed applications, and enterprise infrastructure such as e-mail and file/print. The largest share of Linux server activity lies in the one- and two-way servers common in these applications. The report goes on to detail how Linux now contends in other higher-value, traditional middleware and application areas.

A summary of the report may be found on D. H. Brown's website at www.dhbrown.com.