Global Linux: Asia (2005)

Linux usage is rising quickly in Asia, thanks in part to widespread support for the open-source operating system among governments in the region. But the real driving force behind the growing adoption of Linux in Asia is the business community's need for lower IT costs. The key to lowering technology costs is to choose open-source software and commodity hardware, says Linda Brigance, CIO at FedEx Corp.'s Asia-Pacific operations, speaking to Chinese IT managers at a recent conference in Shanghai. "We need to make sure we are driving our systems cost down with Linux," Brigance says. Despite the growth, these are still early days for the operating system in Asia. Microsoft Corp.'s Windows accounts for the bulk of software licenses sold in the region for both server and client operating systems. But while Linux holds a small percentage of the overall operating system market in Asia, it's spreading quickly. Shipments of Linux server licenses there rose by 36% in 2004, and shipments of client licenses rose 49%, according to IDC. Windows shipments are also growing, but at a slower pace: 24% for server licenses and 14% for clients. One of the companies that has benefited from increased Linux usage is Dell Inc., which is seeing demand for Linux-based servers rise at double-digit rates. Linux is one of the most important operating systems in Asia, particularly in the server market, says Bill Amelio, Dell's senior vice president for Asia-Pacific and Japan. "A lot of customers are looking for open standards," Amelio says, noting that demand for Linux in Asia has outpaced demand in other regions.