Intuit takes QuickBooks Enterprise to Linux

Intuit said Wednesday it will allow QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions to operate on Linux servers. For Intuit, the move is a bit of a milestone--QuickBooks is the first of its products work on open source software.

In a statement, Intuit said the move is designed to allow "tens of thousands of growing companies that are passionate about using open source environments" use QuickBooks Enterprise, which is a largely forgotten mid-market ERP system.

The move should allow IT managers to cut a few steps when connecting QuickBooks Enterprise to Linux. Previously the whole process sounded painful. Intuit explains:

Until now, companies running QuickBooks Enterprise over server-based local area networks had to store the system's database on a Windows server, even if their other applications were running on Linux. This required IT professionals to purchase and maintain a separate server for QuickBooks Enterprise, which was expensive and time-consuming. Using the new, free Linux Database Server Manager application, QuickBooks Enterprise can now reside on the same Linux server as a company's other applications, enabling IT staff to more effectively manage their technology investments.

Intuit said the Linux Database Server Manager is free and available for download June 25.