Linux still has a long way to go

HYDERABAD: Linux may have found inroads in the small and medium enterprises segment but when it comes to mission critical problems and solutions for the larger organizations, it has a long way to go. Recently when the government of AP was creating the blueprint for Secretary Knowledge information Management System (SKIMS), it evaluated Linux and soon it was found to be full of loopholes and implementation problems.

"For SKIMS system, we looked for the feasibility to have it based on Linux, but due to some basic problems we could not do so and eventually we had to do it with Microsoft," informed, CS Rao, Joint Director for Infrastructure at government of AP.

Linux could not provide the much-needed compatibility between the primary domain controllers and the backup domain controllers and this led to it losing in favor of Microsoft. "We also found out that if we implement Linux then users will have to give password every time they log on and this created problem for us. Also there were problems with the Windows XP and Windows 2000 compatibility," Rao explained.

Though this does not mean that enterprises should not consider Linux as its operating system. It should give Red Hat’s of the world a chance to look deeply into the problems associated with Linux and try to fix them up before taking Microsoft head-on.

"Linux seems to be the right choice not only for communication gateway makers but also for smaller Indian companies developing services and application for offices. Not to mention tech giants like IBM, Oracle, Hewlett Packard and Sun Microsystems right up there backing the system. It is just that there are some compatibility issues involved with its implementation that need to be addressed before it’s too late," Rao added.

A variation of the Unix operating system, Linux, created as people’s software - free and open for everyone to use - is now getting as corporate as pinstriped suits and PowerPoint presentations. Commenting on the Indian market scenario he said, "Unless the Indian companies are able to come out with specific applications for the Indian businesses, things are not really going to change. Basing applications on Linux is a great way to cut costs, especially during these days of high uncertainty. ''

"We have between 2000 to 2500 systems, 800 printers and 200 switches at the secretariat and imagine how much cost we would have saved if it was implemented using Linux. So the market opportunity for Linux is immense but it needs to adapt itself according to the market needs and it has to do it fast," Rao informed.

However on the other side companies are attracted by its performance at the lower end and lack of licensing costs. Interestingly, according to an IDC report, Linux users spent only $80 million on software, less than one percent of the amount spent on all operating systems for all computers, even though it is widely used.

A number of companies whose staple diet is Linux are emerging as more confident players. Mahiti, a Kerala-based firm and Yukthi engaged in security solutions and Exocore headed by Atul Chitnis are among those who are looking at providing solutions to budget conscious companies that are not averse to imbibing technology at lower costs.

All said and done, cost advantage being its forte, Linux has a good chance against the likes of Microsoft but at the same time it needs to adapt itself to the current market dynamics and it needs to do that fast enough as not to be left behind.