HP claimed today that it will boost mainstream adoption of Linux and open source software after signing a support deal with JBoss designed to help firms migrate from proprietary systems.

The agreement adds enhanced architecture and design support and services for JBoss products on HP platforms.

By providing JBoss support, as well as a range of consulting services, HP promised to "address customers' migration concerns" and so make open source viable for mainstream corporates.

"A main concern of customers when deploying Linux and open source software is availability of service and support for those products," said Al Gillen, research director for system software at IDC.

The analyst added that HP's provision of JBoss support would make firms more comfortable about deploying open source products in their IT infrastructure.

Martin Fink, vice president of Linux at HP, said: "Our expanded agreement with JBoss allows more customers to easily realise the cost savings and flexibility benefits of deploying Linux and open source on HP systems."

HP said that it also plans in early 2005 to offer HP OpenView application management systems which monitor, troubleshoot and manage changes in JBoss Application Server environments.