distro for commercial product: n00b
 

I'm an engineer working on a commercial product - a mid-sized automated bread bakery intended for retail spaces (grocery stores). You can see old prototypes here: www.wilkinsonbaking.com

All automation of the machine is taken care of in a PLC, but we're running a GUI for both operator control and sales screens from a local web server. This GUI sends simple commands like "Begin", "Sell Me Bread" through a custom driver to the PLC which carries out the actions, monitors the process, handles safety etc. The PC is just the face, not the brain of the machine. From our PC we also run video on a TV for advertising. Currently this is all done in Windows 7, but I don't see the need to pay MS for every machine we produce, nor have all the features of a consumer OS. I'm exploring linux, the engineers here are life-long windows guys... experienced users, but not with linux.

Favorable attributes:
-gratis, and licensed for commercial use
-runs a web server (I know.. everything does that)
-handle multiple screens with minimal setup
-quick boot (even 30 sec would be a huge improvement)
-reliable (trending towards bomb proof)
-manageable by linux-rookies
-easy to clone? I need a way to install this on machines quickly, or to "re-image" a corrupt machine
-we plan on a machine life of at least 5 yrs... though we could refresh software part way through, I'd like a support structure of some kind. (are forums enough?)

My only concern with hardware is buying Chinese touch-screens... I might be able to get a driver from them... anyone know if there's a generic? or how worried I should be? I don't need multi-touch or gestures or anything. Just simple touch, or touch+hold.

Also, switching our custom driver from Windows to Linux - the programmer says he plans to use Mono, which is essentially the .net framework for linux. Any comments there? Should I be worried or ask anything specific.

I would suggest looking into Debian Stable for the server. It supports everything on Earth. I am not very knowledgeable about touch screens, but is certain to have support. All you need to determine what is the most genetic good touch screen.

Debian is free and can be used in commercial environments, and is extremely stable. Updates are ridiculously easy to perform, and will never break the system. It boots ridiculously quickly and is very simple to install as well as maintain. You cannot go wrong with it.

I have seen Red Hat and CentOS been used for servers. They are good in terms of stability, and so is Slackware, but none of these can beat Debian for the overall ease and stability you get.