Open Source Software

Datalude is a proponent of the use of Opensource software. Open source solutions can obviously be used to solve business problems at a very low cost, and in addition, they are usually highly customisable.

Open Source Desktop.

There are a number of factors which have come into play recently which make Linux a viable alternative to Windows.

Firstly the Linux desktop GUI has now come of age. It is possible for a seasoned Windows veteran to find their way around the Linux environment intuitively, with minimal training. If you can use Windows, you can use Linux. In addition to the graphical environment, there are a number of applications available which match or exceed the capabilities of their equivalents on Windows. Foremost of these is OpenOffice, which replicates the functionality of Word, Excel and Powerpoint seamlessly.  Equivalents for Outlook, Photoshop, Illustrator, Internet Explorer and all the main office tools are all freely available. This obviously makes the switch financially attractive.

In addition, the discontinuation of Windows XP has left companies with a dilemma. XP will continue to be supported, but any new machines will be sold with Vista.  Not only do you have to pay for the license for this new OS, you have to buy a machine with some considerable power to even begin to run it. In addition, an estimated one third of Vista users, have opted to pay extra to downgrade to XP again, due to problems and incompatibilities they have experienced. The only persuasive reason to upgrade to Vista — its supposedly improved security — has also recently been discredited. So if you’re on the brink of upgrading to Vista, this may be the ideal time to make the break, and switch to Linux.

Our Linux Desktop of choice is Ubuntu, as it is the most easily approachable for users transitioning from Windows. We also have experience with other flavours of Linux, if you’ve already made the break (including OpenSuse, Fedora, Mandriva etc). On the server side we tend to favour Ubuntu or Centos, but once again can work within existing constraints. We work with your existing IT staff to train them on the new environment

Open Source Applications.

We have experience in setting up and customising the following applications:

  • SugarCRM – Customer relationship management
  • Asterisk PBX and its derivatives – multi-featured PBX replacement and VoIP unit at a fraction of the cost.
  • Scalix and Zimbra – two groupware email servers to replace Outlook and Exchange
  • GroupOffice, Alfresco – document management and groupware.
  • Website Content management systems
    • Joomla / Mambo
    • Drupal
    • MODx CMS
  • NolaPro – an accounting package to rival Quickbooks. Multi currency, multi company, multi user.

… and we are happy to research and recommend more based on your business requirements. Contact us to find out how we can take the pain out of your IT.