February 28, 2004

Microsoft is not the only software power house.

Here's how the world of software works. Microsoft creates the operaitng system (Windows XP, 2000 or etc) and independent software developers create programs to work and that can be added on top of the operating system. Of course, Microsoft's dominant office applications have also ushered in dozens (maybe hundreds) of various third party applications also.

Well IBM recently announced that 200 partners have signed on to IBM's ISV Advantage Initiative for SMB in first
year.

ISVs dedicated to providing open solutions to customers across all vertical industries have committed to go to market
with IBM for a majority of their business in the $300 billion small-medium business (SMB) technology market. This includes many developers who have migrated from proprietary offerings to Linux and IBM's Express middleware for the SMB market.

ISV Advantage provides ISVs with comprehensive technical, marketing and sales support to help meet the specific needs of medium sized businesses. ISVs that enable their applications on IBM's industry-optimized infrastructure software can provide customers with flexible and secure solutions that span multiple computing platforms, including Linux. Currently more than 70 percent of ISV Advantage participants are actively supporting IBM's software running on Linux.

I was just talking with an ISV yesterday, that makes a CRM and sales force automation tool. Their software is based on Linux and therefore is a lot cheaper than if it wer Microsoft based.

While many companies are built on Microsoft products, more and more companies are not liking the stance Microsoft takes with their licensing.

In addition, SMBs are concerned about becoming too dependent on Microsoft's operating environments and applications, according to a recent Yankee Group survey. The survey found that some 43 percent said they were "concerned" about becoming "overly reliant" on Windows based products and services. Seventy-two percent of those respondents said they were now searching to lessen that reliance by evaluating other alternatives.

Going in to a business, I really don't think the first concern is "what platform is it on" per se. But what is the solution, can it meet my needs and how much does it cost.

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