IBM, Virtual Bridges and Canonical today announced a Linux-desktop solution that helps you save significant amount of money compared to typical-Microsoft PCs. IBM reports, the virtual desktop is designed to drive significant savings compared with Microsoft-desktop software by amplifying Lotus collaboration software and Ubuntu to a larger user base through virtualization. The main reason why it helps save money is that it runs open source free softwares. This solution runs open source open standards-based email, word processing, spreadsheets, unified communication, social networking and other software to any laptop, browser, or mobile device from a virtual desktop login on a Linux-based server configuration.

Compared to Microsoft-based desktops this virtual desktop is estimated on average to deliver cost savings from:

* Licensing: cost avoidance of $500 to $800 per user on software license for Microsoft Office, Windows and all related products
* Hardware: cost avoidance of around $258 per user since there is no need to upgrade hardware to support Windows Vista and Office 2007;
* Power consumption: cost avoidance of $40 to $145 per user from reduced power to run the configuration and $20 to $73 per user from reduced air conditioning requirements from lower powered desktop devices annually
* IT services: 90 percent savings of deskside PC support; 75 percent of security/user administration; 50 percent of help desk services such as password resets, and 50 percent for software installations, which are replaced by software publishing

The virtual desktop is generally available now in most geographies and many languages by contacting IBM or Virtual Bridges. Standard pricing for a 1,000-user VERDE deployment is $49 per user.