Business confidence in the use of Linux has soared over the past year, but UK sales remain flat, according to research conducted for Open Source lobby group the OpenForum.
The research, supported by the UK Department of Trade and Industry, was conducted by Trend Consulting among IT directors at 60 large financial services, retail and public sector organisations.
While the number of companies using open source software is down from a year ago - thanks to a dip in government use - the research reveals growing confidence about the application of the technology for business critical applications.
IT directors cite reduced software licensing fees, avoidance of lock-in to proprietary technology and improved total cost of ownership for the upsurge of interest. Concerns about support availability and skills are giving way to new worries about internal costs of integration and retraining.
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