Linux A leading Japanese convenience store chain will install more than 15,000 IBM xSeries servers running Linux. The installation will allow customers of Lawson Inc. the ability to download music, movies and other Web content from multimedia terminals throughout its stores.
Customers already can book airline reservations and order concert tickets from existing terminals.
The Lawson multimedia terminals currently run Microsoft Windows. The additional functionality, provided by the systems running Linux, will allow future multimedia upgrades in real time, based on customer demand. Linux was our first choice to run these new applications because Linux is easy to maintain and costs less than other operating systems to implement. Lawson, headquartered in Osaka, is one of the largest convenience store franchise chains in Japan. With about 7,600 stores nationwide, it is the first in its industry to devise a plan to offer a variety of services to customers through multimedia kiosks.