CA's
Customers Lead Them To Linux
When
we met with CA at LinuxWorld, we were (1) Amazed to find them
there and (2) Amazed at the size (giant) of their booth.
If you need proof that Linux isn't brand new technology any
more, maybe this is it.
But
CA tells a very interesting Linux story.
With more than 1200 products, porting all of them to Linux
isn't a viable plan, so they've decided to let clients tell them
what they need on Linux and port products in client-priority
order. So far, 60
products have moved to Linux, including CA's rules based engine,
EZ-Trieve, and their Access Control and Secure Back-Up software. If this sounds like ordinary business software to you, that
should be further reinforcement that Linux is moving to the
business side of the equation.
But
that's not all CA is doing. They
also have put all of their Linux Initiatives into a single group
and are hoping to offer products across the platforms, from
embedded to Intel, through RISC to mainframes.
They see this as the real future of Linux and a real
opportunity for CA.
They
note that as Linux penetrates markets like consumer electronics
and automotive, where volume and scale count, it will need to add
security, identity management, virus management, back-ups for
downloaded software, automated updates and automated asset
management, privacy management, and connectivity for mobile users.
CA points out that these are all areas where they have
expertise and experience. They
also know a lot about reliability and availability, sure to become
issues as Linux becomes more pervasive in markets where the users
have no IT department and where the volume of usage precludes the
customer service department taking on the job.
That
sounds interesting.
(back to top)
