The evolution and uptake of open-source software and open-standards around the world, and in the corporate server room, has been nothing short of phenomenal. A report published by CIO Weekly in 2003 stated that "within 5 years, 54% of CIO’s surveyed said that open-source would be their primary platform". CIO Insight has also predicted that one of the trends to continue in 2006 is the rapid uptake of open-source software.
“It's not just about the money. Open source usage will spread well beyond the Linux operating system, the Apache Web server, and the Firefox browser, and come to include a wide variety of tools and applications. The lure of lower costs won't be all that drives the move: Smaller firms in particular see open source as a strategic opportunity, a springboard for innovation, and a chance to declare independence from proprietary vendors—without sacrificing quality. It's not just a change in technology; it's a change in attitude.” (CIO Insight, December 2005)
Given the often free or minimal cost of many open-source solutions, and in many cases increased security, and fully customizable solutions combined with a global community of knowledgeable support and resources, and avoidance of vendor-lockin, it's no surprise that even Microsoft has reported publicly that Linux and open-source software are their greatest business threat. Businesses from IBM, Oracle, Ford, Amazon, Intel, Goggle, dozens of banks, universities and even entire governments around the world continue to either switch entirely to Linux and other open-source solutions, or at least introduce these powerful systems into their existing Unix or Windows environments. In virtually every case, these companies have shown reduced operational costs, reduced maintenance, improved performance as well as increased functionality and interoperability with other systems and of course, significantly increased up-time for production servers. For more information on who is using Linux and other open-source technologies, check out the "Reports & Reviews " section.
So how can Open Enterprise Solutions assist you with your business software or technology needs through the use of Linux and other open-source software? Our Open Source Consulting service is offered to customers and partners who seek to deploy Linux or other open-source-based solutions. We have worked with and supported Microsoft Windows since version 2.0 back in 1987 and Linux systems since the first commercial distribution back in 1993 known as Yggdrasil. This extensive experience across both platforms has allowed us to understand the pro’s and con’s between both environments, where and when open-source and Linux are better suited than Windows. And, in some cases, Microsoft Windows and its server products are better suited and we will always be upfront and honest about these situations. Working with both server operating systems, Windows and Linux, we have also developed a great deal of expertise in the integration of both platforms. In fact, the majority of our business and government customers have mixed environments utilizing the best of both the Windows and Linux operating systems.
The Open Source Consulting Process
Our goal at Open Enterprise Solutions is to ensure that your business and technology or information systems operate the best for you and for your particular environment. Our Open Source Consulting service usually begins by working with you directly to better understand your particular environment, any current show-stopper problems, where you would like your businesses to develop and expand in the future and the extent of your existing support services. With this initial information and business requirements gathering completed, we will prepare a comprehensive set of recommendations outlining the various software, hardware and operating system solutions available to you in order to solve your particular business needs. Since we are an Open Source Consulting company who fully support and believe in the value and empowerment offered through Linux and open-source software, our recommendations will usually begin with a thorough review of the various open-source solutions that may suit your particular needs. If we are unable to locate, or support a given solution or do not feel confident in the maturity of any given open-source product, we will be upfront and explain this to you in the report and make other recommendation suited to your needs. Once again, although we are strong supporters and advocates of Linux and open-source, our goal is to provide you with the best, and most suitable, technology or software solution for YOUR unique environment.
The final report will be presented to you in person with all details, costs, options and support avenues fully covered. In some cases we may also provide online demonstrations or slide show presentations of similar solutions, or some of the software recommended. With the final report completed you will have a powerful tool and comprehensive summary of the various options available to you to solve your technology or information system issues through the use of open-source software, where the use of such software fully meets, or exceeds, your business requirements.
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