Linux for business

[ZENYO]

I have been reading a lot lately about how Linux is really moving up in the corporate world. The other day the owner where work said to me that he heard ford was moving to Linux and asked...
"If a big company like ford move to Linux, why can't we?" My (purely unsupported and presumptuous) responses were:

-User and administration training
-Customization
-Incompatibility with our current ERP system
-Incompatibility with our business partners.
-New Hardware

"But hey, I'll look into it" I told him.

It can’t be just a matter of switching to Linux. It seems to me that there is a lot more involved in terms of money when it comes to switching from a Windows environment to a Linux environment.

If anyone has any views on this or can point in the direction of some good pros and cons of moving to Linux (for business) it would be appreciated.

Thanks
Al

[vass0922]

New hardware shouldn't be an issue, you may even be able to pull some of the dust bunnies from teh closet for linux.

You DO have to look at what applications your running.
Are any written in VB? If so scrap that app for linux migration.

Is he considering transitioning the user desktop to linux as well or just theserver side? If its just server side the user training should be minimal if the migration is done correctly.

Applications are your biggest concern, talk to your vendors and see if they support a linux version, or maybe even a competitor.

Get ready for a lot of research.

[ZENYO]

I'm not sure what he is considering because he is not very computer literate. He'll just here or read something and ask why... Basically what I need to do is research it enough so I have all the answers and maybe even convince myself that it's a good (more cost efficient) move. We are not running any VB Programs, but we have just signed off on a hefty investment for a new ERP system and hardware. I wold think at first I would look at the server end of things and then workstations.

I'm a windows guy and I know very little (actually nothing) about linux. I want to take this as a good opportunity to learn about how linux works in the business situation.

[blubomber]

Wow zenyo, i think that it would be really big task for someone with no Linux experience. Linux is stable and pretty secure but does not have the ease of use that windows has. Even though Linux does have a gui, it is still heavily relied on the command interface to get some stuff done.

In your situation, you should just look into the server side of things for now. I have often thought of deploying Linux on my servers but the task is beyond me at this point, but i hope that soon i will be able to have the knowledge and experience to take on that task.

But, linux is gaining speed in the corporate channels, especially after all the windows patches and attacks. Alot of companies are looking into Linux to replace windows. Good luck on you quest for knowledge.

[ZENYO]

Originally posted by blubomber
Wow zenyo, i think that it would be really big task for someone with no Linux experience. Linux is stable and pretty secure but does not have the ease of use that windows has. Even though Linux does have a gui, it is still heavily relied on the command interface to get some stuff done.

That's what I'm talking about... That's the kind off stuff I need to know.

I have no linux experience that is correct but at one point I had no windows experience I'm in no way affraid of a command interface, I rely more on DOS than windows GUI (are the commancd similar at all?).. I'm just in the research and familiarize stage right now. But I would love see/hear some real world examples of wnidows --> Linux conversions

[vass0922]

Suggestion:
Grab up a server at your office i f you can spare one, and put some sort of service on it. NOT mission critical!

Maybe like a home drive for yourself or something just so you can get a taste for it.