Canonical has released a version of Ubuntu targeting the business desktop market in a direct challenge to enterprise Linux vendors such as Red Hat.
The new release, dubbed Ubuntu Business Desktop Remix, removes games, social networking and file sharing applications while adding corporate-focused software, such as thin-client apps and VMWare View.
The new release is primarily intended for businesses interested in trialling Ubuntu ahead of the next long-term support release (LTS 12.04), and represents a challenge to Red Hat’s traditional dominance in the corporate Linux desktop and server markets.
As is usually the case with Linux, the release is available as a free download, with Canonical charging for support services.
The move is part of a broader diversification strategy at Canonical, which saw the company debut a smart TV based on Ubuntu at CES.
Andrew Sadauskas is a former journalist at SmartCompany and a former editor of TechCompany.
