IBM Backs Linux with $100 Million

IBM is backing up its ardent advocacy of Linux with cold hard cash. Over the next three years, Big Blue will invest a total of $100 million USD to broaden the use of Linux technologies within its Workplace product family and assist customers in constructing end-to-end Linux-based solutions that fit a variety of devices.

IBM's financial commitment came in response to double digit-growth among customers that deployed the company's collaboration software on Linux in 2004.

The funding will be disbursed to finance a series of service ISV support and technical programs, marketing initiatives and Linux research and development designed to boost the adoption of Linux, cross platform-support and cost control.

"This wouldn't be the first time IBM has made an investment in Linux. Significance would depend on where the money is spent," Jupiter Research senior analyst Joe Wilcox told BetaNews. "Hypothetically, an investment related directly to the Lenovo purchase of IBM's PC division and expansion of Linux availability in the Pacific region would be significant. Elsewhere, the investment would merely extend IBM's already strong commitment to Linux."

IBM's Workplace suite of programs centrally manages business data and provides device agnostic remote access to business applications available from any desktop computer, PDA, cell phone, laptop, or terminal. The Workplace portfolio of products consists of WebSphere Portal, Lotus Notes/Domino, and IBM Workplace. Many of those products already have elements of Linux support.

"Since customers have been looking for ways to extend the value of Linux to the desktop, IBM felt the time was right to deliver a fully-supported Linux client alternative," said Ambuj Goyal, general manager of Workplace, Portal and Collaboration Software at IBM.

From a historical perspective, the company's support for Linux and open source has been ongoing. In 2001, IBM announced a 3-year $300 million USD commitment to Linux that resulted in Linux platform support for many of its products. Last month, IBM offered up 500 patents for open use in accordance to the Open Source Initiative (OSI).