Linux Keeps VARs Alive

Some folks say VARs are dead. After checking his own pulse and web site traffic, The VAR Guy disagrees. Instead, he believes channel pros are reinventing themselves via managed services and new software stacks. In fact, a new survey by Channel Insider suggests that Red Hat Linux is now the most popular platform among VARs.

The VAR Guy isn’t surprised. We’re in a tricky economy. CIOs and small business owners want VARs who can innovate yet save money. Linux is the rare technology that achieves both of those goals.

Not that The VAR Guy agrees with all of the Channel Insider survey findings. Sun Microsystems and Novell server operating systems placed second and third in popularity among elite VARs, noted Matt Asay, author of the Open Road blog.

That sounds a bit misleading: How can Sun be more popular than Microsoft on the server? Sure, The VAR Guy is a Unix and Linux fan. But he doesn’t deny Microsoft’s success in the server market.

I’m feeling a bit like Hillary tonight: Can I get a recount? Both Bills (Clinton and Gates) would appreciate it.

Side Note: Did Channel Insider really need to develop a 33-page slide show to tell us about their channel winners? One quick list on a single page would have been nice.