Hi,

It is with great interest I have read your article that -yet again, may only be a reflection in the Open Source light veneer that most large SIs must bear in 2007

The Open Source stacks are packaged in a way to fulfil vertical functions and -to the un-initiated, it may seem that enterprise-ready applications such as backup or desktop management aren't readily available.

The view one must take is that specialist ought to provide best of breed solutions to solve points of pain. And Linux/Open Source Professional outfits can also recognize the importance of proprietary software to solve business problems, the philosophy of which need not be discussed.

These actually do include enterprise network backup solutions like Arkeia, they also do include most of the Novell applications such as ZenWorks, they also include cutting edge and integrated email/ collaboration suites and CRM (Sugar/Zimbra or Sugar/Scalix) etc. True systems integrators work with vendors to help and influence with the development of add-ons, plugins etc to allow for an even tighter and deeper integration. An example of that includes single maibox backup and restore (includes single emails) influenced by LinuxIT, written by Arkeia for Scalix which allows the most demanding customers out there to benefit from everything ground up, from the tin to the tape in the drive that contains the Email, collaboration and CRM data organisations nowadays so heavily rely on.

The support model provided by vendors and large systems integrators is often the main barrier to adoption because it focuses too much on the OS or one element of the stack and looks at the product or piece of software in isolation from the others. From that perspective, we are offered with a disjointed view of the organisation and a potential administration nightmare with too many support contacts, too many vendors and more importantly no experts on deck, merely product specialists.

The comment I couldn't agree with more is the one reflecting on the importance of partnering with Systems Integrators and VARs.
Now, the Linux world appears to consist of two types of the above:
The large SIs who claim to be qualified by pooling self employed resources together offering more of a bureau resource. These structures add very little value and ultimately don't understand how to solve issues out of the proprietary box.
The other end of the Open Source spectrum is composed of 2 to 3 men bands, highly qualified, solutions focused individuals who like to work from their garage or utility room. Would you enterprise put their trust in such an outfit?

Perhaps that is the question that one should ask when talking about Linux, Open Source or systems integration: Who can you trust?

Alex Christophe
Corporate Solutions
LinuxIT Europe

According to Unisys experts, 2007 will be the year that open source software attains the architectural backing and distribution channels needed to gain acceptance from enterprise customers as a front-rank vehicle for deploying enterprise applications to drive business growth and innovation at a lower cost per transaction.

According to Unisys experts, 2007 will be the year that open source software attains the architectural backing and distribution channels needed to gain acceptance from enterprise customers as a front-rank vehicle for deploying enterprise applications to drive business growth and innovation at a lower cost per transaction.