Lead Off!
Linux and open source. It's a big topic right now in our world; and it's getting bigger. So, if you're concerned with moving your business forward, it's time you really take a serious look at how open source software can improve your business. Besides saving your bottom line a few bucks, it could mean a host of other benefits for your company. It has for ours.
How many times have we heard that we should adopt Linux and open source solutions because they usually cost less than proprietary solutions? Yes, the relatively low acquisition cost is still a big issue that can ultimately benefit your bottom line. But it's not the only–or even the most important–factor anymore in why many CxOs choose to run open source. In fact, 500 senior IT executives said, in a recent study conducted by Chadwick, Martin & Bailey, that their top decision criteria for choosing Linux and open source were reliability, security and performance. Cost, while still important, was fourth on the list. There's a long list of reasons how your business will benefit by implementing open source solutions in the areas where it fits best.
Granted, not every user in your company can, or should, move to Linux–yet. But it just makes sense to migrate certain users to an open platform with open source solutions. With Novell as your partner, it's easier to not only decide which users can, and should, be on an open platform, but also how to get them there.
In Plug In to the Hot Benefits of Open Source, you'll get a taste of why open source makes more than just "cents" and how you can put those benefits to work in your organization. We explain how and why.
Further, we show you some of those open source solutions Novell uses internally and explain how we've implemented them in our own organization. Read the details in Enjoy the Sensation!
As you know, Novell just released a new enterprise platform that can help your business: SUSE Linux Enterprise 10. We include several open source solutions in both the server and desktop versions of this new platform, but we take a closer look at the desktop in this issue. Read about many of the solutions included in SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10 and how they can help your users become more efficient every day in We Have Opened the Box.
Also take a closer look at arguably one of the most important open source projects that is a "must" for your world and throughout your enterprise: OpenOffice.org 2.0 and the Novell edition included in SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10. Learn why you should be deploying it throughout your enterprise in UP:GRADED.
And staying with an open source theme, You're Secure shows you how to deploy to all your servers one of the many open source projects for which Novell is responsible: AppArmor. It's a unique profile-based application-security solution you shouldn't be living without on your Linux servers and desktops.
Now is the time; if you haven't already, to take a look at the open source solutions out there. Novell stands ready to help you implement the right mix of open source and proprietary software based on open standards that works for your organization. Building your business with open source solutions as a key component will provide a reliable, secure, scalable and low cost technology platform and give you the competitive advantage you need to thrive.
As always, we love to hear from you. Let us know what's on your mind or if you have feedback for us. Send e-mail to editor@novell.com. Enjoy this issue of Novell Connection.