IBM Confirms Internal Mac (and Linux) Migration Project
IBM Confirms Internal Mac (and Linux) Migration Project
by , 3:25 PM EDT, April 17th, 2008
IBM has engaged in an internal research project to evaluate Macs and Linux systems and compare them to the PCs they're using now for potential migration. Currently, its' just a pilot, research project, according to IBM.
On Thursday Daniel Dilger at Roughly Drafted discussed the research project, and suggested that the program was designed to study the feasibility of migrating "significant numbers" IBM's employees to Macs.
TMO contacted IBM, and a spokesperson told us the following:
"We have about 100 people using Macs right now in a small pilot, but it is not an indication of a major strategy shift inside the company. Researchers at our IBM Labs are doing what they do best -- trying out new things.
"IBM's internal I/T strategy is about roles-based computing platforms and a commitment to open standards. We want to give our employees choice to use the technologies that are best suited for their job.
"A one size fits all client computing platform no longer provides IBM's global employees with the flexibility to innovate and be productive while containing I/T expenses. Many parts of the business will remain on WinXP. Some will migrate to Linux. There are some requirements for Mac. Our client offerings are successful because of our commitment to interoperability through open standards."
Despite the low key response, it's no secret that IBM has been a strong proponent of open source software and Linux as strategic weapons against Microsoft. Much as Apple and others believe that adherence to open standards and open source source software can benefit themselves and their customers, IBM looks to be thinking along the same lines for its internal operations.
Very notable is the comment in the IBM statement about the fact that "one size fits all client computing" is no longer adequate for IBM. That statement alone sends a strong message to corporate America that the tired excuse of not wanting to support multiple platforms no longer achieves the purpose of creating an "innovative, productive" workforce. The comment about containing I/T expenses can be read that dealing with Windows security and licensing has become too large a burden for IBM.
While some employees, as a result of the program, will likely stay with Windows, many others will evidently be given the freedom to switch to Macs or Linux. This kind of "genetic diversity" is a strength for an organization that has been previously recognized to improve security and operational readiness by the U.S. Army. Now, IBM also is demonstrating the advantages to the world.
Observer Comments
QuoteSmall White Car wrote:QuoteGuest wrote:
It's ironic that IBM would be purchasing competitors' products, when they sell their own brand of computers
Well, things like servers, I think.
But they don't make any laptops or desktop computers, so there's no irony in purchasing an iMac or a Macbook.
ThinkPad?
Quotejbruni wrote:QuoteSmall White Car wrote:QuoteGuest wrote:
It's ironic that IBM would be purchasing competitors' products, when they sell their own brand of computers
Well, things like servers, I think.
But they don't make any laptops or desktop computers, so there's no irony in purchasing an iMac or a Macbook.
ThinkPad?
IBM sold their laptop/desktop business to Lenovo in 2005.
Thu Apr 17, 2008 11:39 pm Subject: Hey, here is a good statement about it
A Guest once said
"I am not sure why a company would bother buying something that cannot seize even 10 % of a given market. As of Jan 07 Mac vs Pc market share was 7.4%-8.1% depending on who you asked.
After all these years of competition and those funny ads that Apple loves to run, one thing is crystal clear NO ONE is listening to the Mac is better arguement [sic]."
Or words to that effect.
Thu Apr 17, 2008 11:40 pm Subject:
today IBM is like a consulting firm. they shall do anything to evaluate any technologies that an enterprise need. if the pilot programs success, Apple will received the bless from Watson IV (no idea who is CEO of IBM today). Apple finally can gain strategic beachhead in Invasion of Enterprise. WWDC 2008 is three days after the D-Day anniversary. Microsoft Reign won't last thousands years.
IBM has had a Linux evaluation program for several years now. I applaud their looking seriously at the Mac as well. They had an internal website that offered tips and un-official workarounds for Mac users when I left there two years ago. I even supported a commercial clients Mac environment three years ago. It was the first time they had seen those cool looking Xservers with their "cool blue lights." I am glad that it is now official relative to the pilot's status.
A mate of mine is a senior systems consultant in IBM and has been using 17 Mac Book pro for a year now - it gives him increased flexibility as he can run multiple OSs on the one machine, and he likes that it "just works" aspect of the Mac OS as his core OS. I'm not surprised that IBM are opening to new business opportunities - is that not how that grew from day one to the company they are today?
Wed May 07, 2008 10:30 am Subject: IBMers heart Macs
Yes there are many of us at this 3-Letter company that are using our personal Macs now that we don't make PCs. Quite a grass-roots push but don't expect anything until after our legal obligations to Lenovo expire... 2009 maybe?
Lotus Notes has a great Mac Client and I am testing it in Beta. Also our instant message client Lotus Sametime has an OSX version. (no, I don't work for Lotus)
http://www-10.lotus.com/ldd/notesmacforum.nsf/Customer/720a4d3de548bbaa852573d40062a199?OpenDocument
I thought we should have bought Apple when they were down...and now they are too expensive...but you never know.
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