IBM to double down on open source

IBM Corp. reportedly is pouring $1 billion into open source technologies.

The Armonk, N.Y.-based computer services giant, which is believed to have up to 10,000 employees in RTP, will spend the money in the next four or five years on Linux and related-open source technologies for use on its server systems.

IBM (NYSE: IBM) is not new to Linux, and even has a partnership with Raleigh-based open source giant Red Hat (NYSE: RHT). And Big Blue made a previous $1 billion pledge in 2000.

This time around, the cash will go toward facilities and personnel to help users move to Linux technology. Specifically, IBM is setting up a center in Montpellier, France for that purpose, according to the Wall Street Journal. Additionally, IBM is creating a “development cloud,” an installation of servers that customers can use to help build and test open source applications.

By: Lauren K. Ohnesorge

Link: http://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/blog/2013/09/ibm-to-double-down-on-open-source.html