Linux growing on businesses

By MICHAEL FOREMAN

Linux has long enjoyed a cult following among technically advanced computer enthusiasts, but businesses are still wary of this open-source platform.

This admission comes from Chris Hegan, general manager of Linux specialist Asterisk, who concedes that the operating system has earned a reputation for being difficult to source, install and maintain.

Mr Hegan says resistance to Linux has almost evaporated among larger companies, thanks to increased support by the big computer manufacturers, but he says smaller businesses still need a lot of convincing.

"Small businesses are a little concerned about having something unfamiliar on the network - it's a sensible position to take really."

Technical director Igor Portugal says Asterisk has addressed these fears with its Firefly range of servers that are supplied with Linux already installed.

"Customers don't need to worry about where to get the CDs and they won't be sitting up until two in the morning configuring the system."

Asterisk supplies a version of Linux that is based on the Debian distribution, which can be used to run Windows or Macintosh clients and will also integrate into a Novell network.

Mr Portugal says most of Asterisk's 200 customers are using Firefly servers in conjunction with Windows PCs.

"Windows 2000 is a very complicated solution compared to this."

He says one of the biggest advantages of Linux lies in its ability to be administered from a remote location, which Asterisk employs to provide remote support and software upgrades.

"We make the claim that we can solve 90 per cent of problems within 90 minutes."

Western Springs School is one customer using Firefly servers in a thin client environment, which enables old 486-based PCs to be used as Linux word processors and internet browsers.

Mr Hegan says: "It's a great way for schools to get some use out of the old dongers which parents and friends are happy to donate."

Bryce Coad, managing director of Parnell-based Zombie, says Windows is still the best operating system as a front end but he believes the functionality of Linux is far superior.

As well as operating as an internet service provider (ISP), Zombie provides Linux support on behalf of Compaq, which now certifies the operating system across its range from iPaq desktops to Alpha supercomputers.

"You can build a Linux system that includes only those components you want to use. This means it does the things you want to do very fast indeed," says Mr Coad.

Mr Coad says this characteristic of Linux has long been used by ISPs to configure fast communications servers, but some Zombie clients have now optimised systems around other applications such as video editing.

Simon Gamble, managing director of YellowTuna Networks, also based in Parnell, believes Linux can give small and medium businesses the same advantages as large companies running Unix systems.

"Linux runs on lower specified PCs, the software itself costs nothing and, like all other Unixes, it is fully remote controllable. We can run a client's PC just as well as if we were in the office."

Mr Gamble says the costs of remote maintenance contracts vary but one customer with 45 staff and 16 Linux servers is paying $2500 a month.

"That's a huge amount cheaper than having an IT department, and it's a better solution than the common practice of taking the person who knows most about PCs and putting him or her in charge of the system."

As an IBM business partner, YellowTuna usually supplies systems based on IBM PCs and servers.

Mr Gamble says a Linux system running on IBM hardware is no more expensive than Windows running on "clone" hardware, and now that IBM has certified Linux there are no more driver incompatibility problems.

But he admits Linux and its associated application software still have a few shortcomings when used for workstations.

For example, he reckons the free Star Office desktop application suite offers "fantastic" functionality but it lacks the polish of Microsoft's Office, and user training can also be an issue.

"The chances are that when you hire someone they will know how to run a Windows PC rather than Linux desktop."

But Mr Gamble says these problems are receding as Linux has now gained some acceptance.

"If you were doing this business two years ago you would have been pushing up against a brick wall."

Links


Asterisk

Zombie

YellowTuna