Business Benefits of Open Source

The Internet depends exclusively on Open Standards which, in the main, have been implemented using Open Source. Using Open Source for the IT infrastructure, networking protocols, networking servers, DNS, DHCP, etc. should be the norm for all. Linux on the latest 64 bit commercial off the shelf hardware enables server consolidation and the replacement of proprietary servers and operating systems. The benefits are large savings that can be achieved.

The use of Open Source Software (OSS) is, for most organisations, the most effective way to reduce costs and improve system reliability and security. The cost savings are because:

• Linux rarely fails - mean time between failures is measured in months and often years;
• OSS is secure by design - it is being used by the USA Government for secure computing;
• Linux is virus resistant by design;
• OSS is designed to interwork - published interfaces and no hidden code;
• no forced change - OSS is written to ensure backwards compatibility;
• low cost or free licence fees;
• OSS is free from vendor lock in and vendor churn;
• Linux runs on the latest powerful, low cost, 64 bit commercial off the shelf processors;
• Linux runs well on low performance PCs that do not need fans for cooling.