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Midsize German firms say ja to Linux
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October 29, 2003 (IDG News Service) -- Momentum to migrate from Microsoft Corp. products to open-source software is rapidly gaining in Germany, where numerous companies are reacting to the U.S. software giant's licensing policy.
Small and medium-size businesses, in particular, have begun to replace as much Microsoft software as possible with open-source options such as Linux in an effort to slash IT costs, according to IT managers at the LinuxWorld conference and exhibition in Frankfurt.
"Let me be very frank -- German midsize companies don't care much about IT today because they're being forced more than ever to focus on their core business," said Lars Kloppsteck, IT manager at Heinrich Berndes Haushaltstechnik GmbH, a manufacturer of cooking utensils in Arnsberg, Germany. "They have two primary criteria: IT must perform, and, above all, it shouldn't cost much. That's why open-source software is high on just about everyone's agenda."
The potentially lower cost of deploying and maintaining open-source software like Linux and OpenOffice "is clearly what prompted us to seek an alternative to Microsoft," Kloppsteck said. "And I know many other small and medium-size companies in Germany are dropping Microsoft for the same reason."
Berndes runs Linux on most of its servers and thin-client computers, although it continues to rely on Microsoft's Windows operating system for its notebook computers. "We know that Linux also works on these machines but it's still not quite as easy to use for our road warriors when they need to install peripheral devices, such as printers and digital cameras," said Berndes. "So for now, we'll stick with Windows on these machines."
Speaking at a forum addressing midsize enterprises, Alfons Stark, chief sales engineer at Microsoft GmbH, conceded that the timing of the company's new Software Assurance licensing policy "wasn't probably the best" in view of the economic downturn and the growing need for companies to watch their IT spending. But he was quick to add that the move is necessary for Microsoft to cover its huge investments in research and development. The Software Assurance plan, launched in 2001, calls for users to pay per-year fees for software and upgrades.
In addition to cost, the need "not to upgrade every few years to a new operating system" is another reason why increasing numbers of German companies are dumping Microsoft, said Peter Laubsch, director of IT at ARS Altmann AG. "Companies should decide when they want to add new features and upgrade to another system, not a vendor like Microsoft that forces system upgrades by discontinuing service for older products."
ARS Altmann operates a huge fleet of trucks and trains to transport new cars from manufacturers to dealers around Europe.
Reprinted with permission from
For more news from IDG visit IDG.netStory copyright 2006 International Data Group. All rights reserved.
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