The supremacy of the Windows operating system is slowly slipping as more users are dissatisfied with the increasing number of malware attacks, the micropayments for the majority of the product, and the frequent need to reboot the system. Even macOS is starting to pose challenges, such as a lack of compatibility with numerous applications or payment policies.

Therefore, more users are turning to Linux, an open-source operating system that offers unparalleled customization and security through more efficient vulnerability patching. The trend coincides with people’s goal of turning to physical media, as Gen Z supports the rise in DVD use, listening to music on iPods, and even saving Wikipedia from the AI surge.

Using Linux instead of other operating systems is now considered a skill worth spending time learning and mastering, and businesses are also seeing the rising demand. But with more benefits come challenges, so here’s how companies should approach Linux from an IT perspective.

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What could Linux bring to your business?

The open-source OS is efficient for enterprise services and cloud infrastructure across any industry, especially since it comes in various distributions that suit diverse needs. Therefore, there are many reasons why an enterprise would power up its IT systems with Linux:

• It helps save costs since the OS is free and not produced as commercial software;
• It supports high levels of security with mechanisms like user privilege separation that exclude the possibility of large-scale attacks;
• It ensures the possibility of high customization levels to every business need;
• It is improved by a massive global community of developers and IT professionals;

Using Linux for business also ensures superior performance for servers and cloud computing, thanks to its scalability, making running web servers, databases, or cloud applications considerably more efficient.

But how can Linux be introduced in a business?

Linux offers several variants you can choose from, such as Ubuntu, a more user-friendly option, and Fedora, which is better suited for professional use. The OS includes several office applications for video conferencing, alternatives to Adobe, and accounting software. Moreover, it offers email clients so you can stay in touch with customers and developers.

An important part of introducing Linux includes IT support, which secures optimal system performance and proactive monitoring. Fully managed IT services are important because they provide a 24/7 helpdesk to ensure there are no interruptions in business operations, including computer management, procurement, and security. Migration is also possible with Cyberduo IT services, which include a smooth team transition and secure onboarding and offboarding.

What should you be prepared for when using Linux?

While there are numerous benefits compared to other operating systems, entrepreneurs must be prepared to face several challenges when leveraging Linux in the enterprise. Starting with the Linux staff, which is professional enough to manage it, either hire in the first place or outsource. Understanding source code management and versioning is necessary for applications to run, since they won’t work as they do on Windows clients. Certain apps will also need to be installed according to specific libraries, as the IT department must match apps to avoid conflicting technologies running at the same time.

From that point, another issue linked with the lack of support for every software or IT service to be compatible with Linux. Some of these tools might also have been proposed without proper testing, while others are simply difficult to use on Linux. Overall, Linux adaptation is difficult, especially when it comes to the specific graphical user interface that makes navigation difficult.

So, what’s the best decision?

Leveraging Linux benefits for more creativity and security is doable, but as an entrepreneur, you must understand the efforts it could take for the open-source operating system to work. In the desktop market, Linux usage is about 11%, a considerable increase from 2020, when the global market share was only about 1.5%.

Many operating systems are just Linux variants, such as ChromeOS, and they are far beyond PC use, being integrated into tablets and smartphones as well. Moreover, experts in the field forecast that Linux use will continue to grow, reaching new heights as Microsoft users grow tired of the continuous stream of AI features.

The Rust programming language, which has received considerable attention in recent years for its contributions to blockchain technology, is also a core language for Linux. The solution is memory-safe and seems appealing for the near future, even for Microsoft.

But should you give Linux a chance, considering the previous insights? Well, it all depends on the type of business you do.

Which industries would Linux help more?

Some industries would benefit considerably from personalization and top-notch security. For example, information and technology services companies use Linux most for its flexible, scalable infrastructure. Computer software also leverages more mature, advanced software management from Linux distros, which are distribution libraries of kernel functionality.

The leading companies leveraging Linux include:

• NASA: The OS powers up spacecraft avionics with astronauts’ laptops in the International Space Station (ISS) using Linux;
• Netflix: Linux is used for the backend servers that deliver the streaming content globally, as well as for running services in the cloud on AWS;
• Google: The Android technology is based on Linux, which is one of the most used mobile operating systems supported by a variety of manufacturers;

Companies relying on Linux can benefit from a lower total cost of ownership and greater control over their ecosystems, but the longer software cycles and support for legacy systems are well-appreciated. If your business is ready for a Linux experiment, consider it a great way to master the art of personalizing the OS.

Final considerations

As technology trends change and users are increasingly focused on development, Linux is rising in demand, with the past few years being definitive of what clients truly want. The advantages of control and personalization also attract numerous companies to adopt Linux, especially as Rust is making it more suitable for industries such as information and technology services. But using Linux requires proper IT support and a knowledgeable team.