Ubuntu is the darling of the Linux desktop space. Voted No. 16 in PC World's Top 100 Products for 2007 and now coming as an option for Dell users straight out of the box, this Linux distribution is increasingly deployed on corporate networks. With a free server edition, a professional support organization and a growing band of enthusiasts in and around the IT divisions of enterprises, there are many reasons to consider Ubuntu when looking for a Linux solution. Here are the top 10 reasons why Ubuntu is best for enterprise use.

1. Users Love It

Ubuntu has made ease of use a priority. Deploying Linux desktops across the enterprise was often seen as challenging for users who would balk at using command shells. Ubuntu brings a fresh but familiar GUI environment to the Linux desktop experience. Standard applications, easy Web and wireless access, reasonable resource requirements—the user experience with Ubuntu is reassuringly straightforward and predictable for typical tasks.

2. The Platform Has Excellent Support

For those who want commercial support, Canonical offers 24/7 and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. support contracts for servers and desktops with strong SLAs. There is also a global ecosystem of solution providers who work with Ubuntu, and a very large community of developers and enthusiasts who will often help to resolve issues online, free of charge.

3. Cost Savings

Many CIOs have already deployed Linux as a cost-effective replacement for UNIX. But Ubuntu goes further, eliminating per-seat license costs entirely, on both the desktop and the server, and allowing enterprise deployments of identical code on developer workstations and production servers with no license counting required. Companies can purchase support contracts for the classes of machines where they actually want access to SLA-based support, rather than being forced to pay a per-seat cost for every machine regardless of its support requirement.

4. A Superlative Security Record

Security is a top priority for Ubuntu, which has been rated No. 1 for security update quality and responsiveness in recent studies. Security updates are freely available to all users of Ubuntu, with no subscription required. Ubuntu is also conservative with updates; every change made to the operating system or to the base applications is peer reviewed for security. And of course, being an open source platform, Ubuntu inherits the positive security characteristics of Linux in general.