The Financial Reasons Companies Should be Using Linux

Research shows that many organisations view cost savings as one of the advantages of using open-source operating systems like Linux. Many web developers worldwide, including cybersecurity personnel and network engineers, prefer to use Linux. It is open source, so its source code is readily available. Unlike Microsoft Windows, users of Linux no longer need to purchase any license to use it.

Here are some of the financial reasons companies should be using Linux.

1. Linux Offers Lower Licensing Costs

Linux is available without licensing cost, and one of the reasons why it’s an economical choice for business. It can be expensive to pay for the licensing of Microsoft Windows. While almost every personal computer you buy has Windows, most hold bloatware. Thus, big corporations opted to pay for site licenses and settle with hardware without an OS, allowing them to install a vanilla version of Windows and add and install only the software they needed.

Companies can do the same thing with Linux without the added financial burden of paying for the license. They can install a version of Linux without pre-installed software or use a distribution with pre-installed software – it is just a matter of choice.

Several large corporations are currently paying for the licensing of Microsoft Windows. They also need to hire support staff and IT personnel to fix the issues that come with it. Microsoft will not visit companies to fix things. It is the organisation’s responsibility to hire people who can do it.

If you check with your staff, you will find that most use Linux. Numerous support articles are available about Linux, so you won’t have to hire anyone to pay for the support. In addition, you can always choose a distribution with support, like Red Hat.

2. Linux Provides Stability and Reliability

Reliable distributions like Linux offer peace of mind thanks to their stability and reliability. You will be at ease knowing that only a few users experience a crash, saving you from the financial burden of getting it fixed.

Sure, no technology is perfect. However, since Linux is stable and reliable, you know that your system will operate smoothly, leaving you to focus on running your business without interruptions. It’s great for small businesses since system downtime can have a financial impact due to decreased productivity and sales.

The Linux Operating System is stable since it’s lightweight. Systems that run on Linux do not often hang up or slow down. Hence, Linux users no longer need to reboot their systems to maintain performance and stability.

Linux can effectively and efficiently support multiple users at once. It’s an ideal operating system to help you multitask since it can easily handle several tasks altogether, thanks to its reliability in process management. It can manage several networks and workstations while staying efficient.

3. Using Linux Opens an Array of Available Applications

Indeed, Linux is an ideal option for business, so it’s no surprise that Linux skills are in high demand nowadays, especially in the IT sector. Thus, when hiring new employees, companies using Linux can benefit from those in Linux is an ideal option for business, helping them to attract Linux-savvy employees. Finding employees with sufficient Linux skills is hard, but it is a task that Linux recruitment specialists can do.

One of the financial reasons many companies are using Linux is that it opens an array of available applications, even though one of the challenges in migrating to Linux has something to do with the availability of applications. While Microsoft and other applications cannot run solely on Linux, companies can use emulators and terminal services as a workaround in some environments.

A shift is clearly taking place when running applications solely on Linux. Open Office has transformed into a credible replacement for Microsoft Office, and suitable alternatives exist for software packages used in the enterprise.

4. Linux is Suitable for Developers

There are many reasons that software developers choose Linux. For one, its package manager is more robust than other operating systems, which significantly helps to improve a developer’s workflow. In many ways, all you will do is open a terminal and begin typing.

Another reason web developers prefer Linux is it’s free and open source. It is readily available for the community to use, unlike Microsoft Windows. In addition, the Linux source code is readily available. If you are a web developer skilled at programming and operating systems, you can easily customise your Linux operating system according to your needs. You can modify, contribute, and add new functionalities to Linux.

Linux is very secure, and that’s another reason why it’s suitable for developers. It’s less vulnerable to viruses and malware and does not need an antivirus to protect the files and data stored on the system. With Linux, viruses cannot execute since every program in Linux requires system administrator authorisation. As a result, Linux offers a safe and secure environment for developers to work on.

Among the most favourable features of Linux operating systems are fast, safe, and easy software updates. You will find a vast library of Linux software that users can install easily. With Linux, the system and system updates are in user control – another reason many developers prefer it.

5. Linux Avoids Vendor Lock-In

Vendor lock-in is when someone continuously uses a product or service regardless of quality since they find it impractical to switch away from that product or service. With Linux, vendor lock-in will not happen.

If more and more businesses migrate to Linux, vendors can also move their products to Linux. The vendor must not be making IT decisions on your behalf. You should be able to decide what you want. However, that is what most vendors do. They force you to stay on a single platform.

The good news is that many vendors have switched to Linux or become more Linux-friendly. Some have developed a Linux version for their software or moved to a more agnostic delivery system like SAAS. As a result, there will be lesser roadblocks for businesses to move away from Windows and embrace Linux.