Microsoft goes on attack with anti-Linux ads

Microsoft has launched an advertising campaign aimed at convincing users that Windows is a more cost-effective option for organisations than Linux.

The campaign, called 'Get the Facts', will initially run in US trade publications with a link to a Microsoft site offering analyst reports and customer case studies backing up Redmond's cost claims.

Microsoft is launching the adverts following requests from customers for more research and information on the Windows versus Linux debate to help them make strategic IT decisions.

The 'Get the Facts' website carries a banner claiming "Windows has a lower total cost of ownership and outperforms Linux". It contains an IDC report showing an 11 to 22 per cent cost advantage for Windows; a Giga Research report showing 28 per cent lower development costs for large organisations using Windows; and VeriTest benchmarking studies detailing performance comparisons between Windows and Red Hat deployments. Customer case studies include Sea Containers Group, Dial-a-Phone and Monster.

Microsoft's campaign will no doubt be boosted by London's Newham Borough Council's decision to negotiate a better deal with Microsoft after finding in open source trials that a migration would pose "unacceptable risk" to its services.

But the debate is likely to rage on this year, with major open source trials being carried out by the UK government and health service, along with silicon.com's CIO Jury declaring Linux ready for the big time'.

A Microsoft spokeswoman told silicon.com: "These studies are meant to be another data point in the customer's buying decisions for IT. Every customer has a different scenario; we are hoping to provide as much information as possible to help our customers make decisions."