Transcript Informal ICT Management Workshop - OSS Session 1 Open Source Software Software Strategy Challenges Peter Lübkert Informal ICT Management Workshop 20-21 October 2004

Informal ICT Management Workshop - OSS
Session 1
Open Source Software
Software Strategy Challenges
Peter Lübkert
Informal ICT Management Workshop
20-21 October 2004
1
Informal ICT Management Workshop - OSS
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?
2
Informal ICT Management Workshop - OSS
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 …
3
Informal ICT Management Workshop - OSS
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

4
Informal ICT Management Workshop - OSS
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
– …
5
Informal ICT Management Workshop - OSS
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
6
Informal ICT Management Workshop - OSS
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.
7
Informal ICT Management Workshop - OSS
Key Decision Elements
Technical Aspects
Special Needs


High staff turnover
Political drive


Functionality
Compatibility
Feasibility
Economic Aspects



Hardware, software
licenses
Support, training,
indirect costs, …
Compatibility
Strategic Aspects





Security
Stability
Viability
Flexibility
Independence
8
Informal ICT Management Workshop - OSS
Feasibility/Impact Analysis (1)

Total Economic Impact (TEI) – one possible approach
9
Informal ICT Management Workshop - OSS
Feasibility/Impact Analysis (2)

Decision Support Matrix – another approach
Possible Solution
XP / XP
XP / OSS
Linux / OSS
Weight
1
Security
20
1.1
Vulnerability - protection against viruses, spyware, etc.
25
5
6
7
1.2
Protection against intruders, DoS
25
6
6
8
1.3
Security of data
50
7
7
7
2000
1250
1300
1450
100%
63%
65%
73%
Total (max. number of points)
Degree of compliance
2
Stability
15
2.1
Robustness of code, reliability
30
6
6
4
2.2
Interoperability
40
8
7
6
2.3
Maintainability
30
7
5
6
1050
750
690
540
100%
71%
66%
51%
Total (max. number of points)
Degree of compliance
3
3.1
Legal Situation
…
Security of license /
patent legislation
…
…
…
…
10
Informal ICT Management Workshop - OSS
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
11
Informal ICT Management Workshop - OSS
12