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How Linux Is Changing The Face Of End-User Computing

Forbes Technology Council
POST WRITTEN BY
Jed Ayres

End-user computing (EUC) is changing quickly, and dramatically. In my work, I hear just how vital it is that organizations deliver better security, manageability and user experience every day. This is creating increasing pressure on the status quo of operating systems for end-user devices: Windows. And Windows simply can’t keep up with the requirements.

What you may not know is that this pressure is also giving rapid rise to the broad use of Linux on endpoint devices. In fact, according to a new IDC InfoBrief, Linux is the only endpoint operating system (OS) growing at a global level. (Full disclosure: IGEL sponsored the report.) While Windows market share remains flat, at 39% in 2015 and 2017, Linux has grown from 30% in 2015 to 35% in 2017, worldwide. And the trend is accelerating.

So, what is it about Linux that makes it so attractive for endpoint devices? Consider these factors:

  • Lower cost: The Linux OS is fundamentally an open-source solution. That means, following The Linux Foundation’s established guidelines, its underlying code is free to view, modify and use without licensing costs. As a result, commercially supported versions of the Linux OS for endpoints can be delivered at a lower cost and with more broadly supported, community-enhanced updates.
  • More secure: According to a Ponemon Institute report, 54% of organizations experienced one or more endpoint attacks that successfully compromised data assets and/or IT infrastructure over the past 12 months. That makes the security of endpoint OSs vital. In my experience, Linux is virtually impossible to manipulate and very resistant to viruses and other malware.
  • Flexible and manageable: New Linux software services from developers around the world are regularly tested and deployed. That makes Linux highly flexible and easy to manage. Linux is also known for its scalability and manageability without complex patching requirements.
  • High performing: Linux features a lightweight, layered structure that performs well across device types. This high performance, including faster logon times and application launches, is welcomed by users as they seek greater computing productivity.
  • Well supported: Through its open-source, community-based approach, Linux offers releases that are stable and supported long term, without the risk of OS end-of-life limitations.

Major Endpoint Players Investing In Linux

Yes, as a supplier of Linux for endpoint systems for over 25 years, we at IGEL may have a closer view into this than most. However, the rising value of Linux at the endpoint hasn’t gone unnoticed by some of the biggest influencers in the desktop market. Microsoft, for example, has announced that it will be offering its own open-source Linux platform, and users can now run a supported Linux Virtual Machine on Windows.

Intel has launched its Clear Linux Project to support cloud and IoT use cases and features a Linux OS designed for use in conjunction with Intel processors for optimized endpoint device performance. (Full disclosure: IGEL is a technology partner of Microsoft and Intel.)

Linux is also at the core of Amazon Cloud. Amazon Linux 2 guarantees long-term support and patch updates until 2023. This makes Amazon Cloud a strong contender in support of new Desktop as a Service (DaaS) solutions.

DaaS And IoT Fueling Linux Adoption

Speaking of DaaS, the cloud-based delivery of desktop services is also seeing accelerated growth. It’s been reported that the DaaS market is expected to grow by 23% in the upcoming years, to reach spend of as much as $48.6 billion per year. That presents a large market footprint opportunity for the extension of Linux onto the desktop.

Further perpetuating Linux OS adoption is the increasing proliferation of IoT devices. With the rapid grow of IoT – Gartner claims that there were 8.4 billion connected things in 2017, and that number is expected to rise to 20.4 billion in 2020 – I think Linux will see a surge in new technologies to simplify management and enhance its features for this hot IoT industry.

Get ready for the EUC status quo to change. Linux is already the standard for the endpoint, and I believe it will soon be on the vast majority of our devices, ensuring greater security, lowering cost and enabling greater flexibility.

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