Microsoft Be Warned: IBM Boards the Open Source Software Express

It's time for me to eat a little more crow. Last week, I suggested nobody really cared about IBM's Lotusphere conference anymore. Boy was I wrong. Turns out IBM (IBM) and the Lotus team unveiled some major partnerships at the event, and most of them focused on the open source sector.

Overall, the event shows just how far the open source movement has come in recent years. In the 1990s, IBM had to shift its software development priorities from OS/2 to Windows Server. Now, Microsoft (MSFT) was barely mentioned at Lotusphere. Instead, partners like Red Hat (RHT) and Canonical -- yes, a tiny startup called Canonical -- earned the buzz.

Here are the top five highlights from Lotusphere, and the potential benefits for IBM:

5. Still Cozy With SAP: IBM and SAP (SAP) have had a long-standing relationship, and are now developing their first joint software product together. This move reinforces IBM's determination to maintain open relationships with rivals. A case in point: Both IBM and SAP have made major business intelligence acquisitions in recent months. Yet, the IBM-SAP relationship appears healthy.

4. Running With Red Hat: IBM is working more closely with Red Hat to accelerate Lotus Notes deployments on Linux. Skeptical? Don't forget: Notes was originally designed for OS/2. But in the late 1990s, IBM followed customer demand and quickly evangelized Notes on Windows Server. Now, Notes for Linux provides a compelling alternative to Microsoft's Exchange Server, which remains locked to Windows Server — despite Microsoft's relationship with Novell.

Big enterprises leaning toward Linux servers rather than Windows may be inclined to give Lotus Notes another look.

3. All About Ubuntu: Never heard of Ubuntu Linux? Get to know it, fast, by reading sites like AllAboutUbuntu.com (full disclosure: I blog for that site as well). IBM plans to support Red Hat Linux, Novell (NOVL) SuSE Linux and Canonical's Ubuntu Linux on the desktop. I'm an Ubuntu user, and I have to say: Ubuntu Linux truly has a chance to grab some market share in the consumer PC space. And watch for Ubuntu Linux to grab some server market share later this year.

2. New Foundation: IBM is developing Lotus Foundations, a set of server solutions for five to 500 employees. That's right: Big Blue wants to succeed in the small business software market. In a related move, IBM "Bluehouse" is a set of software services that will let businesses collaborate with one another. In other words, IBM is competing with both Microsoft Small Business Server and on-demand collaboration suites.

1. Think Again: Despite rumors last week, IBM says Notes for Apple's iPhone is not yet ready for prime time. But at least we know it's on the way.

So there you have it: IBM put Lotus back on the map this week. And Big Blue also managed to put the spotlight on the growing open source market. The folks in Redmond, Wash., should take notice.

Comments

[Jonathan Scott:]

"The folks in Redmond, Wash., should take notice."

I'm sure Redmond knows more about this subject than you.

2008 Jan 23 12:38 PM

[Josh Thompson:]

IBM is embracing Open Source because IBM is in too weak of a market position to even attempt to sell proprietary software. Oh, how the mighty have fallen down the mountain they originally created, and how hard some try to spin the collapse.
P.S. thanks for mentioning Lotus; it was a flashback to the latter 80's and the peanut PC, Charlie Chaplin commercials, etc.

2008 Jan 24 11:18 AM