Big Blue is promising cost savings over Microsoft 's desktop software by amplifying Lotus collaboration tools and Ubuntu Linux to a larger user base through virtualization . IBM has launched several Microsoft alternative desktops in 2008.

The three companies teamed up to deliver a solution that brings open standards-based e-mail, word processing, spreadsheets, unified communications , social networking , and other software to any laptop, browser or mobile device using a virtual desktop log-in on a Linux-based server configuration .

A virtual desktop looks like a traditional desktop, but is not limited to a single physical computer. Rather, many virtual Linux desktops are hosted on a server.

'An Inflection Point'

"When we look back several years from now, I think we'll see this time as an inflection point when the economic climate pushed the virtual Linux desktop from theory to practice," said Inna Kuznetsova, director of Linux strategy for IBM.

As Kuznetsova sees it, the financial pressures on organizations are staggering, and the management of PCs is unwieldy. Today's virtual desktop, she noted, is delivering superior collaborative software, an innovative delivery method, and an open-source operating system that demands consideration.

The combined solution includes Virtual Bridges' virtual desktop, called Virtual Enterprise Remote Desktop Environment; Ubuntu Linux; and IBM's Open Collaboration Client Solution software, based on IBM Lotus Symphony, IBM Lotus Notes and Lotus applications. IBM Lotus Symphony is built on the Open Document Format.

"With the benefits of open standards over a proprietary platform comes the freedom to select software in a heterogeneous environment," said Malcolm Yates, vice president of Canonical. "Combining Ubuntu with IBM's open client software applications, we can break out of Microsoft dependencies completely, and significantly reduce total cost of ownership."

The Cost Equation

IBM breaks down the cost savings over Microsoft this way: Licensing, hardware , power consumption, and IT services. In terms of licensing, IBM is promising a cost savings of $500 to $800 per user on software licenses for Microsoft Office, Windows , and all related products. Businesses can also save an additional $258 per user, since there is no need to upgrade hardware to support Windows Vista and Office 2007. (continued...)

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