Ubuntu adds desktop support for small businesses
Summary
Topics
The company, which sponsors Ubuntu, already sold helpdesk services for enterprise users. However, the new Desktop Support Services, announced on Friday, are largely aimed at "small businesses looking for a cost-effective alternative to Microsoft Windows and Apple Mac", Canonical said in a statement.
"Canonical's Desktop Support Services provides an easy... way to get Ubuntu up and running in the home, home office and small business — reaching the vast majority of computer users," Steve George, director of Canonical's corporate services division, said in the statement.
There are three versions of Desktop Support Services. The Starter version is for basic set-up of Ubuntu, the Advanced version is for more complicated migrations to the open-source operating system, and the Professional version is for making sure the Ubuntu PC is integrated with the user's corporate network and company IT services.
The Professional version also aids the user in setting up desktop virtualisation, and offers its subscribers quicker access to support personnel, Canonical said.
Ubuntu is the most popular distribution of Linux in use, although its precise share of the worldwide operating system market is difficult to gauge. According to Net Applications, Linux as a whole has a 1.05 percent share of the global OS market, to Windows's 93.04 percent and Mac OS X's 4.86 percent.
Microsoft is gearing up to release its next desktop OS, Windows 7, in October, after predecessor Vista arrived to a lukewarm response. In the past couple of years, Linux has made some inroads on netbooks, but has lost ground recently to Windows XP, which Microsoft reprieved from killing off.
The Starter version of the Ubuntu desktop support service costs $54.99 (£34.73) a year, the Advanced version costs $114.98 (£72.62) a year, and the Professional version costs $218.54 (£138.03) a year. All versions are cheaper on an annual basis through a three-year package, and all prices are exclusive of VAT.
This article was originally posted on ZDNet UK.
Talkback Most Recent of 14 Talkback(s)
-
Ubuntu adds desktop support for small businesses
And yet no one cares because no one wants linux. It just doesn't offer what small businesses need to survive in this economic climate and grow their business.
Loverock Davidson3rd Aug 2009 -
Interesting perspective
What I've been hearing for the past decade or so is that strategic information, on a timely basis, is the most important element in business survival and growth. However, I must admit that it's the IT community I'm hearing this from.
You imply that your take is different; please do enlighten us.
IT_User3rd Aug 2009 -
Get
ready for disappointment if you expect any sort of informative response.
You will either be told something vague or empty or insulting to linux users with no form of evidential support.
Viva la crank dodo14th Aug 2009 -
I was wondering how long.....
it would take for you to show up with your usual mindless drivel.
Must be nice to be so totally disconnected from reality.
Economister3rd Aug 2009 -
You were waiting for me?
I feel so honored
So now in addition to people just asking for me they are now waiting for me too. My status climbs just a little bit higher each day. Loverock Davidson3rd Aug 2009 -
Like I said, disconnected from reality
That means delusional - imagining all kinds of things that have no basis in reality. With every post you prove my point.Economister3rd Aug 2009 -
When I go to a circus
I do wait for the clowns. Your status as a clown does so raise each day. Though most clowns realize that they are just an act.
Viva la crank dodo14th Aug 2009 -
Good Move - won't change anything
As per the subject line - it is something that Linux really needed to be taken seriously, but its only one of the steps. Application selection still remains the largest limiting factor and until devs get on board with Linux, it will remain a fringe OS. That needs to be the priority for Canonical - to form partnerships with software devs so that high-quality, high-demand software is available for the platform. Currently its only barely adequate 'alternatives' that are out there and while they may be able to do some of what the major Windows apps can, the options and quality is disappointingly limited.
"The views expressed here are mine and do not reflect the official opinion of my employer or the organization through which the Internet was accessed."
gnesterenko3rd Aug 2009 -
For people switching to cloud apps
There are large companies that are putting, or planning to put all their internal applications onto web servers. Their users only need a computer with a browser that supports java. The process is slow in the US because our broadband speeds are so low. As our networks get faster, it will make little difference if the applications are running locally or remotely on the server side. That's why some corporations are moving in the direction of Ubuntu and other flavors of Linux.
I have to say that just 4 years ago there were no machines running Linux at my company. Now all the servers are running Linux and there's a couple of desktops running the latest version of Ubuntu in the computer room. I can see companies wanting support while they make the migration.
WiredGuy3rd Aug 2009 -
Which Apps and which Users
Hey Gnesterenko, although I don't completely disagree with what you said, it is a very broad statement. There are some applications out there that are very competitive in quality and others that perhaps lack features for a power user, but may be sufficient for task oriented positions in a company that could benefit from standardized formats using competitive products. For more knowledge based (expert) positions I would tend more to agree with you though.
Sorry that my response is very broad but it is due in a large part to the initial assertion was to broad to specifically respond to, which is why my title raises the question.Viva la crank dodo14th Aug 2009 -
Ubuntu = Linux = FAIL
If these alternative OSes really wanted to compete, they could've tried to be compatible with the software that runs on Windows. Thats all they really had to do. Just make your cool Linux OS run the software the overwhelming majority of the world is using.
But they can't do that because they don't have the knowledge, personnel, R&D, funding, or business connections that MS has. Even OsX has no chance. Apple has fooled a lot of people out of a lot of money, and those profits are still not enough to compete with MS for the desktop user market. Sure VM this VM that, its not the same. Idiot users don't mess with VMs and there's no reason they should have to.
DotNetGuru@...3rd Aug 2009 -
You sir, need to do a little bit of research
Wine is a program for linux that has long been in existance to run programs designed for windows on Linux, no VMs necessary. If you want commercial support, try crossover, it makes running windows programs even easier.
g2g5915th Aug 2009 -
Server markets?
Obviously these figures are only for the desktop market which is the last area left for Microsquish as their attempts to move into the server markets produce consistently poor results or even break systems as we saw at the London Stock Exchange.
Of course microsquish is fighting hard to defend the desktop/netbooks markets and may even score some temporary victories but the growth rate for linux is shocking. I pity microsquish now and think Mr Gates jumped ship at the perfect moment, before it's inevitable decline.
Tom64th Aug 2009 -
RE: Ubuntu adds desktop support for small businesses
We are looking to offer IT Services (including desktop support) for small businesses. If you wouldn't mind filling out this short survey for Small Business Owners and IT Services.
http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07e2kkf6fkfz9y6xw4/start
Thank you so much for your time!
virtuoss22nd Sep 2009
Talkback - Tell Us What You Think
The best of ZDNet, delivered
ZDNet Newsletters
Get the best of ZDNet delivered straight to your inbox
Facebook Activity
