Most of the IT dealers and System Integrators agree (mostly privately) that Linux is a Great Operating system. But still many few offer Linux based services and solutions to their customers. Even those who offer solutions, most of the solutions are on the server side. Very few people work on the desktop side. The question arises Why Linux is not popular amongst IT Dealers?
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Mostly dealers take into account following parameters, when they decide which products/solutions/services they want to promote.
- Ready availability of Market (Demand).
- Margins involved.
- Ease of Sales, implementation & maintenance.
Unfortunately, Linux falls short in all above 3 area. let us try to dig deeper into this subject.
Why Linux is not popular amongst IT Dealers
- There is no demand in the market.
- Those who can afford paid software they buy and use it, and those who cannot afford – use pirated versions.
- So virtually there is no a pull demand for Linux as such.
- Why there is no demand, well there are various reasons to it, as explained in this article.
- People don’t pay for services.
- Linux is “FREE”, the original reference is to “FREEDOM”, where as most people see it as “ZERO COST”.
- So Customers are not ready to pay for Linux.
- Every businessmen charges for services, except for Computer Dealer, because we think that people will not pay for it.
- Partially its true also. But its more so, because SI don’t explain things correctly. Selling Linux as a service requires very matured and expert Sales & marketing persons, which generally IT Dealers don’t have.
- Man power Problem
- There is shortage of Linux trained man power.
- They don’t want move out of their comfort zone and learn new things.
- Of course there are lots of certification courses available, but most of them aim at teaching the core of the technology (mostly on the server side). No one in teaching Linux on desktop.
- More over the courses are designed with US/EU people in mind, not Indians.
- Also SIs are not very eager to spend on training of their employees due to high iteration rates in this segment.
- Ignorance & lack of awareness.
- IT dealers themselves are not aware about Linux, this may be partly because there are no free extravagant seminars on Linux as frequent as required.
- Its party also because since they don’t find market demand they don’t want to create capacity.
- There is No precedence
- You don’t find many successful IT Dealers who have become successful because of promoting Linux or providing Linux services.
- This is a huge deterrent, in case of IT Dealers the very prominent mind set is to follow others.
We would require conducive environment and an eco-system which encourages System Integrator to create expertise and in turn confidently promote Linux to End users. Also lots of understanding is required on maturing the thought process and understanding of Business in Open Source.
2 Comments
Bhavesh Gudhka
Very true Mr. Limesh – We are igniring power of Linux. We all now realised that taking shortcut was not right decision. Those who are working on Linux or providing Linux solutions are getting recognied, they are still getting respect. Even people who are working on Apple get respect and able to earn money.
Ebony
I’m still learning from you, as I’m making my way to the top as well. I definitely liked reading all that is written on your blog.Keep the stories coming. I loved it!