A recent study of Linux on the desktop suggests that cost is not always the motivating factor in migrating, although it was the most common. Other factors included increased security and decreased ongoing maintenance and support costs.
"The new report “Linux on the Desktop: Lessons from Mainstream Business Adoption,” conducted by Freeform Dynamics and sponsored by IBM, showed that Linux desktops were easier to implement than IT staff expected if they targeted the right groups of users, such as general professional users, who have moderate and predictable use of e-mail and office tools."
The report suggests that deployments should be performed based on objective targetting. Rolling out Linux desktops to transaction workers and general professional users is going to create less back lash and resistance to the change in operating software than it would to the more creative, power and mobile professionals.
The report suggests running two operating system platforms (Windows and Linux) would provide the best mix of cost savings and end users acceptance and satisfaction.
I agree with the overall outcomes of the report and have been thinking really hard on a business case which would gain approval and motivate the CEO.....time will tell on that one :-/
