Informal ICT Management Workshop - OSS 1 Session 1 Open Source Software Software Strategy Challenges Peter Lübkert Informal ICT Management Workshop October 2004

Informal ICT Management Workshop - OSS 2 Proposed Organisation of the Session Round-table to: –Introduce yourselves and your ministry/organisation –Highlight main issues/opportunities for OSS in your organisation General introduction of the topic and themes for discussion OSS Experience Sharing – presentations by: –The Netherlands –France Discussion Summary / Conclusions?

Informal ICT Management Workshop - OSS 3 Introduction Context Software – needs & issues Open Source Software – OSS OECD Decision Making Framework for Discussion Taking the Right Direction... The environment... Expectations... Objectives … Feasibility … Costs …

Informal ICT Management Workshop - OSS 4 Context – Recent Developments Transition from a heterogeneous environment to client server environment to multi-tier model Consolidation - reduce number of different architectures and operating systems to: –Allow faster development cycles –Cope with other new challenges (e.g., network security) –Contain support costs of steadily growing number of applications Integration/standardisation - increase connectivity and interaction between applications and across networks Other factors – the Y2K and Euro projects  Manageability and interoperability were/are key issues

Informal ICT Management Workshop - OSS 5 Software – Needs & Issues (the client desktop) Good interoperability, reliability, and evolution of applications Commonly used file formats for information exchange Familiarity - used in other workplaces and often at home Issues with software sourcing: –Vendor dependence entails increased risk - “technodiversity” can reduce exposure. But more scope for negotiation on bigger contracts  lower costs –Mixed ICT environments can lead to “finger-pointing” between different vendors –Availability of IT professionals is important and helps drive down consultancy costs and facilitates hiring of IT staff –…

Informal ICT Management Workshop - OSS 6 Open Source Software More than access to source code, also freedom to run, modify and redistribute programs for any purpose … Open Source Software (OSS) offering is very broad. OSS does not mean (cost) free. Issues for enterprise-adoption: –Maturity and durability (also a problem for commercial software.) –Availability of enterprise-quality external support –Perception of academic/hacker mentality. –Interoperability with other (commercial) software and different client constituencies –Impact on end-users –Costs: transition, training, support, maintenance

Informal ICT Management Workshop - OSS 7 Open Source OECD A pragmatic approach mainly for Back-Office applications. OSS products were already used under HP-UX. Active participation in events. Key factors: –Adequacy of solution –Standardisation of hardware platforms (Intel) –Availability of local support, management of spare parts, etc –Price/performance ratio Today 11 servers under Linux in production for back-office applications.

Informal ICT Management Workshop - OSS 8 Key Decision Elements Special Needs High staff turnover Political drive Technical Aspects Functionality Compatibility Strategic Aspects Security Stability Viability Flexibility Independence Economic Aspects Hardware, software licenses Support, training, indirect costs, … Compatibility Feasibility

Informal ICT Management Workshop - OSS 9 Feasibility/Impact Analysis (1) Total Economic Impact (TEI) – one possible approach

Informal ICT Management Workshop - OSS 10 Feasibility/Impact Analysis (2) Decision Support Matrix – another approach Possible Solution XP / XPXP / OSSLinux / OSS Weight 1Security20 1.1Vulnerability - protection against viruses, spyware, etc Protection against intruders, DoS Security of data50777 Total (max. number of points) Degree of compliance100%63%65%73% 2Stability15 2.1Robustness of code, reliability Interoperability Maintainability30756 Total (max. number of points) Degree of compliance100%71%66%51% 3Legal Situation … 3.1 Security of license / patent legislation … … … …

Informal ICT Management Workshop - OSS 11 Challenges / Discussion Points How to make the “right” choice – reduce a complex issue to a series of manageable questions that allow us to move forward. Decide on a decision support model. –Define selection criteria –Weigh pros. & cons. of solutions –… But, is there an easy decision path?  Manageability and interoperability remain key issues

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