1

Informal ICT Management Workshop - OSS

Session 1 Open Source Software

Software Strategy ChallengesPeter Lübkert

Informal ICT Management Workshop

20-21 October 2004

2

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?

3

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 …

Taking the Right Direction ... The environment ... Expectations ... Objectives … Feasibility … Costs …

4

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

5

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

– …

6

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

7

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.

8

Informal ICT Management Workshop - OSS

Key Decision ElementsSpecial Needs High staff turnover Political drive

Special Needs High staff turnover Political drive

Technical Aspects Functionality Compatibility

Technical Aspects Functionality Compatibility

Strategic Aspects Security Stability Viability Flexibility Independence

Strategic Aspects Security Stability Viability Flexibility Independence

Economic Aspects Hardware, software

licenses Support, training,

indirect costs, … Compatibility

Economic Aspects Hardware, software

licenses Support, training,

indirect costs, … Compatibility

FeasibilityFeasibility

9

Informal ICT Management Workshop - OSS

Feasibility/Impact Analysis (1)

Total Economic Impact (TEI) – one possible approach

10

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

  Total (max. number of points) 2000 1250 1300 1450

  Degree of compliance 100% 63% 65% 73%

           

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

  Total (max. number of points) 1050 750 690 540

  Degree of compliance 100% 71% 66% 51%

           

3 Legal Situation  …      

3.1Security of license / patent legislation  …  …  …  …

11

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

12

Informal ICT Management Workshop - OSS