Hi all,

If you want to skip the history and jump to my question go to /jump here


I have been using Linux for about 5 years now. Started on the server and now on the desktop for the last 2-3 years. Love it.

The company I work with is a decent size company (about 10-150Million a year turn over). We deal in hardware, software and services/support. Its a VERY Windows centric company. I have been waiting and looking for an opportunity for Linux here. Everyone has slow became very aware I am a heavy Linux user/expert (when your in a windows shop, its not hard to be an expert )

Today, the companies owner stopped me in the hall way as we walked past and asked how good I was with Linux. Gave my quick verbal resume and then we proceeded with a conversation that surprised me very much.

Apparently 12mths ago (I have only been with said company for 6 mths now) he had a meeting with someone about Ubuntu. He said its come up again and he is interested in "...sticking it to Microsoft." [accompanied with a rude hand gesture.]

This surprised me coming from the owner of a very Windows focused business.

He said he will have me in the meeting with this guy. Not sure who it is and this is all the details I have.


/jump to here


So my question is.

Coming from a home user/home server/remote server user, what should I be more mindful when dealing in this environment? He is looking to use it help sell cheap systems ($0 cost OS). What points should I promote more ?

Just general tips from guys who have been in this situation before. I really want to nail this and help get Linux even more adoption (and make a new position with the company for me thats more fun then what I am doing)

You do need to be honest otherwise something in future will paint you in a terrible light

Setup a small scale trial systems.

You have no real specific statements on what you need to do.

1. Most important i feel is integrated and low level Security improvements
a' TrueCrypt allows full total harddrive encryption for USB and System drives (total protection)

b' Little/to None- security issues with Spyware and Adware (this is a tricky point since noone believes that no AntiVirus or spyware tools are needed) You w3ill need some official data

c'

2. Don't quote too cheap at an enterprise level paying for official distro support is very handy and Enterprise customers have a large say in features and patches at RedHat and Novell

3. IBM Novell and Sun are three companies CTO and CIO (Chief Information/Technology Officer) love and trust above all others
Just mentioning IBM Novell Sun are major backers of Linux providing support guarantees and protection. will give a great relief to CIO/CTO's.

4. Costing Estimates of a
a' Microsoft Windows Volume License
b' Office Volume License
c' Mcafee-Symantec Volume Licencing Costs
d' Other Server Licences (extras like Quota Tools)

Thanks for that.

We just had that meeting he was speaking of. He is simply looking at us offering it as an alternative desktop OS. For a few reasons he mentioned:

1) "Save $120 per system"
2) Show MS there are other alternatives and we are open to them. So to help get a more competitive price. These 'seems' to be his prime motive.
3) To show we are more technically agile. He was hinting at this and I put it in that many words. And he agreed.


So he has a 4 week plan.

1) Develop our own companies "branding/customisations" for it. So some theming which I have been put in charge of.

2) Put it on our 5 internal PC's in the lunch room for warehouse staff etc to test during their lunch breaks. So like a small in house usability study. This is to also see Gnome and KDE alongside each other. I made a point that we need to decide which way we are going to go rather then having too many options. I am KDE user, but maybe Gnome is the way to go here.

3) Put together a system (hardware) to pre-load it on.

4) Make a press announcement.


So I really hope this works out and that I can do whatever is needed to really make this seem a viable option to the big bosses at these company.

I have to give a demo in this Fridays mornings ales meeting with the customisations in effect and both Gnome and KDE desktops.

I am thinking points like:-

- Its slightly different, but still user friendly. So once you get user to a few different things, you will be as and probably more productive with these interfaces
- No need to be scared of viruses and spyware.
- Free cost and freedom. (not sure if I can explain this adequately in the small time frame and may leave it ??)


What else would get the attention of mostly IT dumb sales staff ?

I'll add that to my points too.

How do people handle hardware compatibilities ?

If we start selling systems with Ubuntu on them and the customer later buys a scanner and rings up to say its not working and we finds its a "non-Linux" scanner and won't work.....tell the customer to buy another one ? Hand out flyers with each system listing "known good" hardware ?

Anyone tackled this problem ?

I think I am going to bring my laptop in for the Friday demo. It has Beryl working on it

Do it like IBM does with their POS Terminals.

Make a reasonable list of Recommended products.
Be a reseller for a small chunk of them.

Anything not on the officially supported list is treated as is.

Make sure you don't oversell it - not all desktops will be able to convert because of the programs they run. Whatever happens - be realistic. Gnome is a very good corporate desktop because the options for a user to make changes are very limited - KDE is more like Windows in function (though obviously better )

Thanks everyone for the info and tips.

Its not so much selling it for the staff to use, its more a case of selling it to them as viable selling option to their/our customers.

I am actually in the sales team myself, but just as a foot in the door and have this opportunity to get out already (along with another opportunity in another department)

Lots of good information here. I'll take it in and see what I can come up with to do Linux justice on Friday morning.

Keep the info coming .....

I think there is still a big problem: the time and costs for users training. Switching to Linux can be a really disaster with peoples who remain windows-users like.