On desktops and Netbooks, it has been a stellar year for Canonical’s Ubuntu Linux distribution. But on the server, Ubuntu continues to face long-term challenges in terms of application and vendor support. Here’s the scoop from The VAR Guy.
First, let’s be clear: The VAR Guy isn’t pressing the panic button. It will take several years for Canonical to build a business around Ubuntu Server Edition. The effort will require an ecosystem of independent software vendors (ISVs), server hardware makers and VARs.
Remember: It took Microsoft roughly four years to build a decent ecosystem around Windows NT Server, which originally launched in 1993 but didn’t gain much traction until 1996 or 1997.
Now that The VAR Guy has set some expectations, it’s time to offer some key observations.
- Server Partnerships: Sure, Sun Microsystems certifies Ubuntu for its server hardware. But trying to get Sun to talk about its Ubuntu Server strategy is like pulling teeth. Fact is, Sun is dealing with massive layoffs and doesn’t have much info to share about how it plans to promote and sell servers with Ubuntu. Other potential partners like Dell continue to take a wait-and-see attitude with Ubuntu Server Edition.
- ISVs: During LinuxWorld Expo in August, numerous ISVs stepped up and announced support for Ubuntu Server Edition. But sources say many of those ISVs will be late to market with native Ubuntu server applications. One prime example: Sources at Openbravo, the open source ERP and POS specialist, confirm that the company has been busy with a range of deadlines and is behind schedule on the Ubuntu efforts.
- Resellers and VARs: Very few solutions providers even know about Ubuntu Server Edition.
- Rivals: Red Hat is entrenched on the server and Novell is now striving to migrate those Red Hat customers over to SUSE Linux. Novell has no such plans to target Ubuntu because Canonical has such a small footprint in the server market.
- Other Priorities: Canonical deserves huge credit for helping to fuel the Netbook (sub-notebook) craze. Even Dell has been advertising Ubuntu-based Netbooks for the holiday season. But The VAR Guy thinks Canonical is stretched too thin — focusing on mobile internet devices (MIDs), Netbooks, desktops, servers and a range of other efforts. As a result, the server push may take even longer than expected.
Look Who’s Running Ubuntu
Time to give up on Ubuntu Server Edition? Certainly not. The VAR Guy’s sister site, called Works With U, is developing a massive list of businesses across the globe running Ubuntu Server and Desktop Editions. Check out the Works With U 1000 for a look at the list.
But keep your expectations for Ubuntu Server Edition under control. Building out that business is going to take years — rather than months.
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Tags: Canonical | Dell Inspiron Mini 9 | Dell Netbook | Dell Ubuntu | Mobile Internet Device | Openbravo | Sun Microsystems | Ubuntu Desktop Edition | Ubuntu Server Edition
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Does Canonical have a long-term roadmap for Ubuntu Server?
It seems to me that they go from release to release and add whatever tickles their fancy. I think they need to knuckle down and thrash out a solid plan for (as The Var Guy likes to say) carving out a niche in the server market.
As I’ve previously stated, I’m of the opinion that the SMB market is ripe for the picking. They’re the ones that have the small margins and need to save wherever they can. They just need a good, easy, drop-in replacement for their current proprietary solutions.
a canonical migration tool that takes windows small biz server customers to ubuntu would be killer
Bottom line is, you have the most popular Linux distribution in the world… on the desktop. Very little tangible monetazation of any of the Canonical products. Very little emphasis on building a defined channel of SI/VAR/SPs who can monetize the product to the enterprise.
Until resources are deployed to build the proper channel, and thought is given as to how all partners will make money… well then Ubuntu will go the way of every other distro save RedHat and Suse. So the question that should be asked is what did RedHat do right. Until the Enterprise in engaged, and the VARs who touch and influence the Enterprise understand the value of the offering, then Ubuntu will just be the cool Linux flavor of the day.
Three words: Cohesive Channel Strategy
Mark, are you listening?
CodaCoda: good point. I guess I’m talking from more a ‘killer product’ perspective than a ‘make Canonical sustainable’ perspective.
Following my train of thought, the two are tightly linked.
To be profitable you need a good channel AND a good product. Which comes first? The product.
Ubuntu has a great desktop. But the server, while useful, lacks the ‘killer feature’. At the moment it is just tagging along with the rest of the server distros out there – giving it no advantage.
Socceroos and CodaCoda: You’re always welcome to step into the spotlight on this site because The VAR Guy rather enjoys your opinions.
Only one addition regarding Red Hat/comment #3: Don’t forget that Red Hat did a great job building ISV relations…
I run a small IT shop with approximately 20 client companies. Most that have Linux are RHCE. That said, I have 4 right now that are running a couple of Ubuntu Servers. No complaints and we prefer the package management scheme.
RH has done one thing very well and that is to emphasize that there is somebody there to hold the businesses hand. Most customers are very adverse to buying into a product that they can’t get support for, even if they will never need it. They want that assurance even though my team handles their support and outage requests first. Canonical provides the same support services as RH but they don’t advertise it well.
I would also agree that channel relationships are essential to getting the word out on Ubuntu.
JohnMc: The VAR Guy was about to unplug for the night but he saw your comment. Good to have you on the site, and sharing your experiences. Please keep us posted as you continue to evaluate Ubuntu Server Edition, future paths, etc.
I’m with JohnMC. We too run an IT outfit but we now use Ubuntu Server exclusively on new servers and have been migrating any of the CentOS servers that require upgrades to Ubuntu. Don’t get me wrong, CentOS is a solid server platform but like JohnMC the package management is so much easier with Ubuntu, which saves us time and our customers money.
Spaulding: Tell Lacy we said hi, and thanks for your perspectives.