Microsoft: 'Linux is more of a threat than before'
More companies are using the threat of Linux when negotiating deals with Microsoft, one of the company's senior executives has admitted. While Microsoft is adamant that open-source software isn't a serious competitor on the desktop today, it may well be forcing Microsoft's prices down.
"It's definitely more of a threat than it was," said Nick Barley, director of marketing at Microsoft, when asked if more businesses are telling Microsoft that they're planning to migrate to Linux rather than to one of its own operating systems or applications in the hope of getting a better deal.
Barley wouldn't say how successful this tactic has been.
"It shouldn't be successful if we have built an appropriate value-based relationships with our customers, so that they appreciate the extra value that we offer," Barley said, speaking at a Microsoft event in London. The '20:20 Seminar Series: Microsoft Windows and Linux' event was billed as an "open and honest technology discussion" and included speeches from Microsoft executives and independent parties.
