OSDL Study Projects Linux Growth

VARs wondering if it's time to dip their toes into the Linux waters shouldn't wonder anymore. A new study commissioned by the Open Source Development Labs (OSDL), a Linux consortium in Beaverton, Ore., reports that market revenue from packaged software running on Linux is expected to top $14 billion annually by 2008.

The study, which was conducted by market researcher IDC, found that Linux software will grow at a CAGR of more than 44 percent during the next three years. Servers will see the biggest growth, with annual software revenue for servers running Linux as its primary or secondary OS projected to exceed $11 billion and 3.3 million units by 2008.

On the PC front, the study says client-side systems running Linux will grow into a market worth $10 billion and 17 million units annually by 2008, with a total installed base of more than 42.6 million units.

"'This is the first authoritative and comprehensive snapshot of how people truly use Linux, and it's not surprising for us to see that the adoption is far ahead of even some of the most optimistic estimates," says Stuart Cohen, CEO of OSDL.