IBM has created a Microsoft-free virtual desktop, which bundles Linux with a set of productivity applications.

In partnership with Canonical, IBM has developed a virtual desktop system based on Ubuntu Linux, which includes a suite of office applications and collaboration tools based on IBM's Lotus software products.

The release includes the Virtual Enterprise Remote Desktop Environment (VERDE) from Virtual Bridges, Ubuntu's desktop operating system and IBM's Open Collaboration Client Solution software, which uses Notes and other Lotus applications. The system features email, calendaring, word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, unified communications, social networking, team collaboration and portal software.

IBM thinks that the virtual desktop will play a key role as users look to open-source alternatives for more established solutions.

"When we look back several years from now, I think we'll see this time as an inflection point when the economic climate pushed the virtual Linux desktop from theory to practice," said Inna Kuznetsova, director, IBM Linux Strategy. "The financial pressures on organisations are staggering and the management of PCs is unwieldy. Today's virtual desktop is delivering superior collaborative software, an innovative delivery method, and an open-source operating system that is demanding clients' consideration."

IBM quotes a number of figures that could also help sway purchasing decisions. It said that compared to Microsoft-based desktops, its virtual desktop solution could save up to $500 (£340) to $800 (£550) per user on software licences, along with up to $258 (£176) per user on hardware costs and make power savings of $40 (£27) to $145 (£100) per user.

In the IT department, firms are expected to make 90 per cent savings on desk-side PC support, 75 per cent on security or user administration, and 50 per cent on helpdesk requests such as those for password resets.

"With the benefits of open standards over a proprietary platform come the freedom to select software in a heterogeneous environment," said Malcolm Yates, vice president, Canonical. "Combining Ubuntu with IBM's Open Client software applications we can break out of Microsoft dependencies completely and significantly reduce total cost of ownership."

The virtual desktop is generally available now. Standard pricing for a 1,000-user VERDE deployment is $49 (£33) per user.