Enough of this Lintel stuff, IBM says. More Power to Linux.

IBM this week said it has certified over 2,500 software applications for Linux systems running on the computer-makers Power CPU architecture.

IBM says the number of applications that run on its 64-bit RISC-based processor increased over 200% this year from the year before. On specific Linux-based Power server platforms, 372 new Linux applications for System i were introduced by independent software vendors in 2006, while over 670 Linux applications were introduced for IBM’s System p this year.

IBM cited some of the newer applications released recently for Linux/Power systems, such as DCSnet, software written by DCS Automotive France, a French IT solutions firm that specializes in car retailers. The company created the Linux-based Power server application for car dealers to track inventory and sales online.

Centric CRM is another new Linux app for Power servers highlighted by IBM. The Java-based platform uses IBM’s WebSphere Application Server and DB2 Express-C database on top of a SUSE Linux OS running on a System p server, and provides CRM features for businesses.

One of the first ports of Linux to the Power platform was Yellow Dog Linux. But IBM saw the potential value of Linux on its high-powered RISC systems, and spent more than $1 billion in 2000 to port Linux to all its server platforms, including its Power-based systems. The company’s milestone for Linux-on-Power application support is a sign that this investment is paying off.