Behind innovation: the decision that defines the future

For many, thinking about technology is still synonymous with futurology. Perhaps due to the non-linear evolution that sometimes surprises us, or the disruptions that suddenly change the course of what seemed predictable, there are still those who believe it is impossible to anticipate the next wave. And worse: that it doesn't even make sense to try to do so.

However, when we take a closer look, we notice that the history of technology has not been a completely unpredictable journey. Beyond the major leaps, its progress has been sustained by discrete, yet decisive, foundations. This is where an uncomfortable truth emerges: it is not enough to innovate; it is also necessary to carefully choose where to implement this innovation so that it does not collapse with the first change of tide.

In technology, attention cannot be solely on the present; it must also be on the future. Based on this, the idea of a time-tested infrastructure makes sense. And it does not require magic or divination. It requires strategy. One must have sensitivity to look beyond the "bits and bytes" and understand that beneath everything that is visible, there is a critical layer that cannot fail.

Many people think about cloud, artificial intelligence, automation, and microservices. But what holds all of this together? What is the common layer that allows applications to run, systems to communicate with each other, and data to travel securely from one end of the planet to the other? This layer—this digital backbone—has a name that is rarely mentioned outside the technical world, but it allows all of this to happen: the operating system.

Without glamour or marketing, the operating system has been, for decades, the bridge between hardware and software, between ideas and their execution. It doesn't matter how revolutionary a new application may be — without a robust, secure, and adaptable operating system, it won't make it to production. There is no trust. There is no scale. There is no future.

Today, this layer takes on even greater importance because we are entering a hybrid era, in which traditional and modern environments must coexist. An era in which technical talent is scarce, budgets are tight, and cyberattacks are increasing; automation is not a luxury, but a necessity; and AI is no longer an experiment, but a competitive advantage booster.

So why don’t we talk about the operating system anymore? Why don’t we recognize that a decision as “basic” as choosing the right system can be what allows — or hinders — innovation? The answer may lie in its nature: the operating system is invisible, but it’s everywhere. And like everything that is essential, we tend to forget about it… until something goes wrong.

Therefore, it is worth taking a closer look at what it means to rely on an operating system that is prepared for the future. One that not only executes processes but can become the true facilitator of a sustained digital transformation.

All of this can be found in Enterprise Linux, a Linux distribution created from carefully selected content, rigorously tested and validated within a broad ecosystem of hardware and software partners. Unlike many community-provided distributions, Enterprise Linux offers not only innovation and performance, but also continuous security, technical support, and proven stability. It is the foundation upon which organizations can build without fear, knowing that they can scale, modernize, and evolve without losing control. Because the future cannot be improvised. It is being built. And every great building starts with a solid foundation.

Evolving together with the market

This vision is not just theoretical. It is backed by decades of adoption and trust. According to data from IDC, 56% of companies that use public clouds and 49% of those that operate in private clouds rely on enterprise Linux as their base operating system, precisely because of the additional services it offers.

A leader in this market for over 25 years, Red Hat continually reinvents Enterprise Linux to stay at the forefront. Not as an isolated piece, but as a connective tissue between the past, present, and technological future.

Its most recent release, Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10, is a concrete response to the most pressing challenges of today. Its strength comes from the power of open source: a model that combines transparency, collaboration, and innovation to anticipate problems, not just react to them. This allows companies to create solutions that are ready for a world where artificial intelligence and quantum computing will cease to be futuristic topics and become the new normal.

The impact goes beyond the technical. Report A recent report from IDC shows that companies that standardize their infrastructure on Red Hat Enterprise Linux achieve tangible benefits: operational savings, increased productivity, performance improvements, and the enabling of new initiatives. It is estimated that this translates to profits equivalent to US$1.4 billion annually, with a return on investment (ROI) of 313% over three years.

Decisions guided by innovation

The new version of the operating system represents an important step in helping organizations address key current challenges, such as containing deviations, making better decisions from the beginning of the service lifecycle, strengthening security, automating intelligently, and reducing the dependence on highly specialized skills thanks to AI-based tools.

But this goes beyond the infrastructure. Modernizing a company's digital foundation has a real impact on people's lives. From protecting bank data to the smooth operation of delivery apps and the efficiency of virtual assistants in call centers, everything depends—silently—on the robustness of the operating system behind the scenes.

In a world where more devices are connected every day and astronomical volumes of data are generated, any failure in this database can have enormous consequences for businesses and consumers. Therefore, advancements in operating systems do not just transform organizations: they also improve the digital experience of millions of people, helping to solve the challenges of the present and opening the doors to the future.