Since the last time I “imagined” how I can change the IT Infrastructure in my workplace, things hasn’t been going smoothly.  The project was postponed and I was put in a position that I need to find another place to work.  Finally I arrived in a new workplace where everything is implemented using Microsoft technology. :-)  This is actually a good thing, because knowing how Microsoft does things that makes them so successful is the key to understand the corporate IT culture and what people wants.

So here are the main infrastructure components from Microsoft, and its open source alternatives:

1. E-mail

Microsoft: Exchange 2003 / 2007

Exchange has been the de facto standard for e-mail server for the enterprise users.  It has around 60% market share and it doesn’t seem that Microsoft going to let go its foothold in this area.  The latest Exchange 2007 has many new features and benefits to strengthen its presense in this area.  For one thing, its tight integrity with Blackberry is only comparable to Lotus Notes, but Exchange is the definite winner between the two.

Open source: Scalix

First of all, Scalix is similar to Zimbra, just that Scalix has a tighter collaboration with Microsoft so that Outlook users can connect to Scalix without any additional add-ons.  The only drawback is that Scalix (and Zimbra) pricing is not cheaper than Exchange in the long run (after year 3, to be exact).  However, Scalix has two types of licenses that may be used to off-scale the earlier pricing calculations.

2. Portal
Microsoft: Sharepoint 2007

The first Sharepoint was only targeted for document sharing.  The latest Sharepoint does more than just document sharing.  It can add web parts, process flows, and multiple cool things that a project group can make use of  I should say Sharepoint will (if not has) become one of the cash cow for Microsoft.

Open source: Alfresco

I need to look at this solution further, but Alfresco seems to have gained popularity in this area similar to what Sharepoint has done.  What I said in the earlier blog about using Drupal of Joomla for intranet is simply naive.  Alfresco can easily outperform those freeware platforms.

3. Database
Microsoft: SQL Server

Open source: MySQL Server

I don’t want to discuss further about database, especially if you were asking about “why not Oracle”.   Besides, Oracle can run on both Windows and Linux, and the standard version is free to download.  In this blog, I am focusing on what Microsoft has and what the open community has, and in this case SQL Server and MySQL (and maybe PostgreSQL) fit the bill just nicely.

I’m not a DBA, so I have no clue as to how each DB handles their data.  Both are black boxes to me.  So the only question now is their pricing in terms of supports.

4. Backup
Microsoft: Standard Vista / XP Backup
Open source: Bacula (which I think has more features than standard rsync)

Need to learn more about this as well.  Will let you know the result when I have some machine to play with and tested the abov software.

I’ll continue my investigation later…

=rms=

I have joined my current company for a few months now, and I start to understand the dire situation of the IT department.

Frankly speaking, the current state is far from perfect.. very far! For one, there are no clear job description for determining roles and responsibility among the IT team members. The engineers who assist in selling and delivering the products to the customers are the very same people who support the internal IT requirements. After sales support is practically non-existent. Project documentation are only in the mind of the person in charge. Even our website promoting our existence in the IT world (internet) is still a-clean-newly-installed Joomla portal for a while now. (Why not Drupal, I have no idea. So don’t ask. )

Looking at those situation, I am now “imagining” what it will be like if I’m given the task to manage the IT department. So here’s my “imaginary” plan on how to sort things out:

1. Set a clear job description among the IT team members
2. Separate the internal IT support team with sales support team
3. Create an after-sales support team for external customers
4. Promote our existence in the internet by revamping the portal & manage the content
5. Support other departments in using IT resources more effectively

Note: It is also important from the management point of view to set a clear path whether they want to move forward with (and invest in) the IT sales team. Without this clear intention, the effort will be useless. In this imaginary scenario, let’s assume we have the full support from the management.

The first and second tasks are pretty much a collaboration between HR department and the IT department. The other three tasks will require some effort to find the open-source tools to assist the team. So here are my selections:

1. Monitoring Tools: Nagios + MRTG
2. Trouble Ticket Tools : OTRS
3. Portal (internal & external): Drupal with the proper modules installed
4. Corporate directory: Open LDAP
5. E-mail solution: Qmail + Squirrel Mail or Zimbra

For Phase 2 of the project, I have some ideas to improve the IT team infrastructure as well as their skills. Some areas that may need an online tool (and the potential solution) would be:

1. HR system: Orange HRM
2. Finance & accounting: Not so sure about this one, but I found out that Kuali Foundation has done some works on this matter. Unfortunately, typical finance team don’t believe in relying on open source system for money related matters. Hopefully this will change in the future.
3. Sales: The existing portal can be enhanced with e-commerce modules, or alternatively, using OScommerce is not a bad idea. Sales tools may need other solutions which I can’t think out of my mind right now.
4. ERP: Openbravo or Compiere. Both supports Oracle XE, but Compiere seems to have a larger community support.

I am open to any suggestion you may have in terms of any information related to the best corporate open source solution. I wish I am no longer imagining things, but really given the authority to implement the solution. If that happens, I’ll post it here. *fingers-crossed*