Customers cause 3Com U-turn on Linux

NEWS Connectivity hardware vendor, 3Com has revealed to Silicon.com it will bow to user demands and begin developing tools for the open source software, Linux. The move was prompted by a poll of 3Com customers which showed over 50 per cent intended to implement some sort of Linux strategy within their enterprises. Four hundred users from across Europe were surveyed at the 3Com User Group Conference in Monte Carlo this week - 40 per cent of which were network managers and 14 per cent IT directors. Sian Goard, 3Com European user group manager, said: "We have found a technology has emerged that last year only a few people were considering. This year more than 50 per cent need the tools to support it." A source close to the situation said that the survey had caused 3Com to completely reverse the stance it held on Linux only 12 months ago. The survey also revealed only 15.3 per cent of 3Com customers currently use the Internet for ecommerce - but 46 per cent said they intend to buy and sell over the Web within the next two years. Over 50 per cent of respondents said they worked in companies with more than 2,500 users.