IBM recently announced a new initiative to raise the awareness and acceptance of Linux within the business industry. It is a three year project involving the creation of around 12 Linux competency centres in Europe, and Asia-Pacific.

The centres will include offices in Paris, Stuttgart, Hursley (UK), Budapest, Beijing and Sydney and the first is expected to open later this year.

If businesses were to use a competency centre, they will find that IBM hardware and technical services will be available to help them produce stable applications on Linux platforms.

Gary Barnett who is a senior analysit with Ovum stated that IBM accepts that in the medium term, Linux does not pose a threat to Windows NT or 2000 on the server, but their current actions are more aimed at producing consolidation in the Unix market.