Of all the operating systems available on the market, only two really get any coverage at all – Windows and MacOS, the operating systems for Microsoft and Apple devices, respectively. If you order a computing device from most retailers, they will come ready to install with one of these two operating systems.
Especially when it comes to business, the natural instinct is to play it safe and to stick with what you know – however, by completely disregarding Linux from the operating system conversation, you are potentially missing out on a myriad of features that could benefit your business.
However, as with most things in life, there are two sides to the story. Read on to find out more about how Linux could benefit your business IT.
Benefits
Free
One of the huge positives about going with a Linux operating system for your business is that the software is completely free. Any device with an internet connection is capable of downloading Linux, with the code behind the software also being entirely open-source.
Due to the open-source nature of the code, there are many software developers who have released their own versions of Linux, allowing you to use a fully functioning operating system without having to pay a thing.
This makes it great for startups or any business that is looking to save on costs for potentially a large number of operating system licenses.
Freedom to Customize
As was briefly touched upon before, the Linux operating system is completely open-source – meaning that developers have created a whole host of software and devices built to get the very most out of the operating system.
Even big brands have begun producing products in this field, including Linux Laptops by Lenovo, meaning you can be certain in the quality of the product.
The reality is, though, that anyone can create their own system with Linux – including businesses, who can optimize it entirely to their needs.
Considerations to take into Account
No dedicated support
One of the main issues with Linux is that for the operating system as a whole, there is no dedicated support line, as the software being open-source means there is no central group of developers. This means that if something goes wrong, you may find yourself unable to find instant, expert help.
This means that you should be careful in setting up your own software and go with one of the many independently developed Linux platforms that at least has a community to discuss issues.
Some compatibility issues
Due to the fact that Linux is built using fundamentally different software than common operating systems like Windows and MacOS, it’s not uncommon to come across compatibility issues with particular apps or programs.
This means that for businesses, which usually have a large number of programs and applications in regular use, there should be checks to ensure that all of them will function. Thankfully, this issue isn’t as pertinent as it was in the past, and there are many emulation services available as well as developer support.