"In yet another showdown between the Windows Vs Linux, an independent research report on TCO comparisons between the two has trashed the recent IDC report which claims Windows offers a better price option than open source. Furthermore, the report has cast a doubt claiming that Microsoft has secretly funded the IDC reports and the results were doctored.
"In what is probably the first major independent study by OSIA (Open Source Industry Australia) contrasting Linux & open source against proprietary Microsoft software, open source is shown to have a lower TCO by upto 30%. OSIA is the industry body for Open Source within Australia is the same organization that recently lashed out against Gartner's claims
"This casts further doubts on the Microsoft-funded TCO study undertaken by IDC and adds additional momentum to the open source platform as the best way forward for most IT requirements.
""We've always known that the Microsoft-funded IDC study was flawed,” said, OSIA spokesperson Del Elson adding that Microsoft purposefully selected scenarios that would inevitably be more costly using Linux.
"When you think about it, it makes sense. Linux and open source products are cheaper, more robust and more secure. Having Microsoft tell us that their products have lower TCO is like them telling us that the Earth is flat. Right-thinking CIOs know that Linux and open source software result in lower costs and are not likely to be hoodwinked by verbal sleight-of-hand or spurious, vendor-manipulated TCO studies."
""This independent study, however, indicates that open source software has the potential to lower operating costs for most organisations, enabling businesses to use Information Technology as a tool rather than a financial drain," continued Elson. "Data was collected from interviews conducted with 50 different enterprises, which means that this isn't a mere theoretical model, but one based on real-world savings."
"The independent study released by Research and Markets presents a detailed TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) calculation of open source software and proprietary software with the help of case histories, studies into licensing costs, wage and training costs, etc. The study points towards savings potentials up to 30% depending on the application, including commonly used office applications. Research and Markets is one of the world's leading sources for international market research and market data.
"Their research reports are funded independently through the sale of research data and market reports.
""Open source products have already demonstrated lower overall TCO in studies within Australia, including in several government and business run trials" continued Elson. "For example, the RTA in NSW has already suggested savings of $2 million per year by switching to an open source platform."
"Other points raised in the research include:
1.Savings of nearly 30% are possible.
"2. Significant savings potentials regarding license and operating costs turn open source into a genuine alternative.
3. Large enterprises or public authorities can profit the most by moving to open source.
4."* Open source will spread substantially through enterprises and public authorities.
"We particularly enjoyed the fact that this independent research slaps down the IDC TCO report funded by Microsoft," concluded Elson.