Among solution providers in North America , more than a third are plugging in Linux solutions, according to a December 2000 study across its Channel Research Panel. The research, which garnered 7,556 responses, found 41 percent of solution providers pointing to Linux as one of three primary operating systems that their company resells, specifies, recommends or approves. To query solution providers, Reality polled its Reality Channel Panel. The panel s membership mirrors the North American channel universe of 93,500 solution provider organizations and includes companies of all sizes. For its IT research, Reality surveyed its IT Research Panel, whose members are involved in IT products ranging from systems and networking to electronic commerce and peripherals.
Panelists represent companies of all sizes, from enterprise to entrepreneur-level.