IBM has selected Firefox as its default browser, making a company-wide change that gives Firefox a needed ego boost. With browser competition heating up, Firefox has been kept on its toes to maintain growth, curb Google Chrome and retain its open source integrity. The nod from IBM not only validates Firefox, but promotes its use within a corporate office setting.

From Bob Sutor, VP of Linux and open source software at IBM,

“The longstanding commitment of Mozilla to open standards and the quality of the implementation of them in Firefox gives us confidence that this is a solid, modern platform that should be part of IBM’s own internal transformation to significantly greater use of Cloud Computing.”

The decision puts Firefox in the same box as Lotus Notes, Lotus Sametime and Lotus Symphony office suite for IBM employees. The expectation is that those using Firefox in the office will also use it at home. The opportunity for Firefox and IBM to set an example for other corporations could give Firefox the edge it needs. With Firefox 4.0’s release nearing, many pondering businesses may perk up to the suggestion of switching browsers.

However, Mozilla’s upcoming release hasn’t deterred the other players. Google Chrome is seeing steady growth, having reached nearly 10% of browser market share in its two years of existence. While Safari begins to lag, Internet Explorer is keeping up with updates of its own, seeing rapid growth exceeding Chrome’s, and experiencing some of its biggest gains to date.

These are all things for a business to consider, but the needs of that business is what matters the most. For IBM, the security of its system was a prerequisite. The company’s growing influence in social enterprise software also aligns with evolving internal needs, as more social tools are incorporated into business practices.

[image credit: viritech]