Is it a right move for your company or public institution to switch to Open Source Applications?

I've been talking a lot about how you should embrace the Open Document format and how awesome Kubuntu is. However, in the real world, there are several things that we have to take into account before making key decisions, such as changing the operating systems of your computers from Windows to Linux. In this article I will discuss if switching to open source applications is an smart decision.

 I live in El Salvador. About two and a half years ago, the Education Ministry released shocking news: Schools nationwide had to remove Microsoft Office and switch to LibreOffice. It was a huge deal. No one was trained in how to use LibreOffice, but then it got worst because it was also required to remove Windows and install Linux. This switch was done in less than two weeks, mainly because schools faced legal actions if they kept using Microsoft Windows and Office, since the licenses allowing public schools to use Microsoft products expired. The switch was successful because it was aimed at schools, not government institutions. Wait... What? It is a shame that the Open Document Foundation doesn't talk about how we use LibreOffice in every public school in El Salvador. But that's a topic for another article.

Anyways, this success was due to the fact that it was aimed to young students and IT teachers. El Salvador didn't make the same mistake that Munich did. The Munich government decided a couple of years ago to go full open source by replacing Windows for Linux and Microsoft Office for LibreOffice in every government office. Huge mistake, since they had to write all their custom applications from scratch, and also had to spent time and money training all personnel in how to use Linux. Don't get me wrong, I love when people switch to open source alternatives, but I know how to recognize bad decisions. El Salvador in the other hand didn't invest much money training, since kids and teenagers are more open to try and learn new things. Most IT teachers spent around one hour in teaching how to open each LibreOffice application. Students didn't feel the switch, not even when writing reports or creating Slideshow presentations.

 So what's the verdict? Should companies and public institutions switch to open source applications? In my humble opinion, I strongly recommend companies and government institutions to fully embrace the Open Document format by using LibreOffice (or any other similar application) without removing Windows. I know it sounds crazy but you have to make changes slowly. Keep in mind that people are used to the Windows user interface, and you will have to invest time and money in training how to use Linux. If you follow my recommendation, you won't need to spend time and money, people will adapt and you will save thousands of dollars in expensive licenses. Just don't make the same mistake that Munich did. Now, if you want to deploy Linux in schools, go for it. I've been using Linux with 8-12 years old students and they didn't even see any difference, which is surprising.