PeopleSoft Maps Out Linux Strategy

Computerworld - PeopleSoft also announced at last week's conference that it plans to make all 170 of its applications available on Red Hat Inc.'s version of Linux, starting in the fourth quarter.
David Sayed, technology product marketing manager at PeopleSoft, said the move was prompted by an increased interest among IT managers in using Linux beyond basic file and Web servers. "Now, customers are telling us they want to run enterprise applications [on Linux-based systems]," he said.
PeopleSoft anointed IBM's Intel-based servers, DB2 database and WebSphere application server software as its primary development platforms for the open-source operating system. But the software vendor said it will also support its applications on other servers that run Red Hat Advanced Server.
Like other application vendors, PeopleSoft is recognizing "the competitive aspect of having a Linux solution," said Stacey Quandt, an analyst at Forrester Research Inc. in Cambridge, Mass. "There's obvious demand in the market."
George Muller, CIO at Imperial Sugar, said Linux support may be of some interest to him down the line. But the sugar maker currently runs its systems almost exclusively on Windows, and Muller said he plans to get the most out of his investments in Microsoft Corp.'s technology for the next several years.
A similar situation prevails at Vail Resorts Management. Vicki Silvera, the company's director of information systems, said Linux is starting to catch her attention.
But Vail Resorts is a Microsoft shop that relies on Windows and SQL Server databases. "Only time can tell if there is an opportunity or advantage for the company [with Linux]," said Silvera.

Read more about App Development in Computerworld's App Development Topic Center.