Memorandum: Ubuntu.
This
memorandum is to discuss a recent topic of the potential use of Ubuntu in our
business. For those unfamiliar with the topic at hand Ubuntu is a free complete
desktop Linux operating system. “Ubuntu” is a noun from a South African
language that translates into “a quality that includes the essential human
virtues; compassion and humanity”. While we are discussing Ubuntu and its
impact on our business, the philosophy can sound difficult to grasp as business
isn’t usually associated with compassion and humanity. We, however, strive to
develop our business practices to maximize profits but still maintain our humanity.
“The Ubuntu community is built on the ideas enshrined in the
Ubuntu Manifesto: that software should be available free of charge, that
software tools should be usable by people in their local language and despite
any disabilities, and that people should have the freedom to customize and
alter their software in whatever way they see fit.”
Ubuntu as an operating system has a potential impact on business.
One case study illustrates how Capgemini, a business process outsourcing
company, changed their IT infrastructure with Ubuntu. The following excerpts illustrate
some of the impacts:
To realise its vision, Capgemini
BPO designed and built an IT solution known as the Model Delivery Center (MDC) thin
client concept. By eliminating the need for local infrastructure and
applications at BPO offices worldwide, the thin client concept has improved
Capgemini BPO’s efficiency, simplified management and enhanced the end user
experience. What’s more, the hybrid thin-client approach means data remains on
customers’ servers at all times, ensuring high levels of data security.
A standardised, global IT platform
using Ubuntu Capgemini BPO has created a standardised, global IT platform for
reliable, secure, cost-effective service delivery. “Capgemini’s MDC thin client
concept concept shows how Ubuntu can help organisations replace disparate infrastructure
globally by providing a high performance and simplified alternative” says Jane
Silber, CEO at Canonical. “Ubuntu is lean, simple to customise, secure, easy to
use and constantly available to provide the best possible end user and customer
experience,” she adds, “and it is delivering great results for Capgemini’s
BPO.”
The impacts described above such as reliable and cost
effective service delivery bring up an interesting point towards its potential
use in our company. We currently pay Microsoft a large licensing fee for our
systems. Theoretically, switching to Ubuntu would save us a great deal of
money. Reducing our operating expenses could help increase our profitability
via investment opportunities.
However, while the preceding data suggests that Ubuntu would
be great, I am uncomfortable with the idea of switching our entire infrastructure.
The case illustrated success but the nature of Capgemini’s business and ours
are very different. I have to look towards the greater good of the company as a
whole and while Ubuntu may save money in terms of licensing costs, the risk of
an operating system change on the company could be disastrous. Our
profitability has come from stability. Changing on a magnitude of this scale
could be difficult for many of our staff to handle. This is also a change that
doesn't currently achieve a purpose that is in line with our current objectives.
It may be worthwhile to examine the O.S. change in smaller groups of the company
where it may make operations easier. I am open to hearing any well-presented ideas
on the matter but currently am uncomfortable with suggesting to replace our
current operating systems across the company.
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