Open Source/Free Software in Maricopa Government

[Derek Neighbors]

> I have two words for this - Largo, Florida
>
> http://newsforge.com/newsforge/01/08/10/1441239.shtml?tid=23
> http://newsforge.com/newsforge/02/12/04/2346215.shtml?tid=19

In case you havent realized Largo FL and Maricopa County are two
drastically different entities in terms of size.  That is like saying what
solutions work for Gila Bend will naturally work for Phoenix.

Going completely LTSP on a government the size Maricopa County is not
necessarily the most optimal move.  Largo iirc has 900 employees and like
400 terminals.  Maricopa County has more around 14,000 employees and
probably several thousand workstations.

Not to say LTSP wont work there, but the same setup as Largo will not work.

> Open Source is simply a tool that enables lower TCO.

Free Software is not about necessarily lower TCO (though by its nature
thats a side benefit).  The real advantage is no vendor lockin and full
control of your IT services.

> Don't fall into the trap that the major cost savings is from the
> licensing, when it's really a combination of software licensing AND
> hardware.  Staving off off a hardware upgrade for 2-3 years with Open
> Source software can easily offset the cost of retraining and higher IT
> personnel salaries.

Hardware savings is likely the biggest place to pick up savings in such a
move.

-Derek