Linux vs Windows - Conquering a Windows Based World

The UK’s largest Open Source email system for schools has gone live.  Carmarthenshire County Council chose to build the new email system using Open Source for the following reasons.

• Secure
• Customizable
• Scalable

Always seem to the same reasons that organizations move to open source software.

“Pupils and teachers now have access to three different versions of the system depending upon age group. For example, primary school children use e-mail through a simple interface, whilst secondary school pupils use more advanced features.” 

Case study can be found at the Sirius Website.

According to a survey by Ingres, 77% of businesses in the UK have already deployed or are planning to deploy open source software in their business. Top reasons for switching are

• reduced costs
• adding value to business
• keeping lights on

“The report found that the versatility and adaptability of the open source model is allowing companies to eliminate historic vendor lock-in, reduce database management costs and rapidly develop critical business applications, including Business Intelligence, Data Warehousing and CRM solutions. ”

The UK National Computing Centre and the Birmingham City Council have formed a National Open Centre (NOC) to help promote and assist in wider adoption of open source software and standards in local and central UK government.

Covered at itweek.co.uk.
A quote from Nigel Wright a UK sales director from Red Hat.

“Anything that helps spread the word that people have had success with Linux can only be a good thing, especially if it is coming from peers.”