Tweet
Rolling a business over from Microsoft based solutions needs to be done carefully. If done correctly, the people behind it will only secure their jobs.
Start with servers, move them over to platform independent solutions. One service at the time, making sure the transition is smooth and take what ever time is necessary to do it right. Do *not* rush it. This move alone will make a big impact on your TCO, providing the confidence to move over to clients. A well designed server set-up is critical, and must be in place before any migration takes place.
Start off with pilot users on linux,. Chances are you already have some linux enthusiasts in the company willing to be test pilots. They will typically not hang you out to dry.
Make sure you have a rock solid set-up before rolling out to regular users. The roll-out should only be based on willing users (not necessarily enthusiasts). Do not force people away from their desktop. Simply ensure that the experience on linux is just as good as on windows, and allow the last die hards to keep their excel spreadsheets and fancy powerpoints, even quickly roll back users who complain. For those who do not complain, still make Microsoft office available through terminal services should they need it. We already know that incompatibilities caused by Microsoft office formats is by far the main obstacle in a well designed migration. In addition there may of course be special applications only available on windows. After years, you may consider forcing the last die hards over. But only when you are certain that it will not disrupt daily operations.
Start with servers, move them over to platform independent solutions. One service at the time, making sure the transition is smooth and take what ever time is necessary to do it right. Do *not* rush it. This move alone will make a big impact on your TCO, providing the confidence to move over to clients. A well designed server set-up is critical, and must be in place before any migration takes place.
Start off with pilot users on linux,. Chances are you already have some linux enthusiasts in the company willing to be test pilots. They will typically not hang you out to dry.
Make sure you have a rock solid set-up before rolling out to regular users. The roll-out should only be based on willing users (not necessarily enthusiasts). Do not force people away from their desktop. Simply ensure that the experience on linux is just as good as on windows, and allow the last die hards to keep their excel spreadsheets and fancy powerpoints, even quickly roll back users who complain. For those who do not complain, still make Microsoft office available through terminal services should they need it. We already know that incompatibilities caused by Microsoft office formats is by far the main obstacle in a well designed migration. In addition there may of course be special applications only available on windows. After years, you may consider forcing the last die hards over. But only when you are certain that it will not disrupt daily operations.
Comment