IBM and Canonical's Ubuntu Windows 7 Alternative

IBM and Canonical, the Linux vendor behind Ubuntu, have announced they are working together to bring to the U.S. their IBM Client for Smart Work package, launched in South Africa this year. The bundle is being positioned as an alternative to a Windows 7 upgrade for companies not wanting to be trapped in an endless desktop operating systems upgrading cycle, particularly Netbooks and low-end PCs. IBM points to market research estimates of Windows 7 migration costs of up to $2,000 per user when new hardware is also required.

The package's U.S. version includes a number of IBM products such as e-mail programs Lotus Notes or LotusLive iNotes, Lotus Symphony for word processing and spreadsheets and Cloud-based collaboration tools from LotusLive.com, all running on Canonicals Ubuntu Linux distribution (or optionally, Red Hat Linux). The idea of a sort of cloud based thin-client that keeps the operating system client side could prove compelling to IT departments looking to cut ties with Microsoft.

"If a company is a Windows shop, at some point it will need to evaluate the significant costs of migrating its base to Microsofts next desktop", said Bob Picciano, manager for IBM Lotus. "American businesses have asked for a compelling alternative and today we are delivering IBM Client for Smart Work in the U.S. Our goal is to help organizations free up desktop expenses to use in more strategic collaboration and business transformation projects". If only it didnt involve Lotus Notes. Well, nothing is stopping you from using Gmail instead, I guess.

More Info: IBM Client for Smart Work