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Open Source Software: Challenges and Strategy for Implementation

This session explores the challenges and strategies for implementing open source software (OSS) in organizations. It highlights the main issues and opportunities for OSS, shares experiences from different countries, and discusses decision-making frameworks for OSS adoption. The session also addresses the context of recent developments and the needs and issues of software in a client-desktop environment. It explores the benefits and considerations of OSS adoption, particularly in terms of interoperability, cost, and availability of support. The session concludes with a discussion on key challenges and decision points in selecting and implementing OSS.

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Open Source Software: Challenges and Strategy for Implementation

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  1. Session 1 Open Source Software Software Strategy ChallengesPeter Lübkert Informal ICT Management Workshop 20-21 October 2004

  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?

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

  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

  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 • …

  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

  7. Open Source Software @ 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.

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

  9. Feasibility/Impact Analysis (1) • Total Economic Impact (TEI) – one possible approach

  10. Feasibility/Impact Analysis (2) • Decision Support Matrix – another approach

  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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