Convincing My Boss
 

Hello All,

I don't know if this is in the right place; so if it need to be moved, please do. Thanks

Anyway, I have been working as a Network Administrator for my company for 3 months now (there are 2 of us for the whole network). And I report to "The Director of MIS" (my boss). This network is a ::sigh:: Windows based network. Since I am an avid Linux user (both at home and school), I want to introduce Linux. I have mentiond the "wonders" of Linux casually to my boss in conversations. And all he responds is "I see no need for it."

So here's my problem. How do I convince him that we CAN use Linux to the benifit of the Company? I am in no way thinking of replacing EVERY server with Linux. But I think that we can benifit in having a Mixed Windows/Linux environment.

I'm thinking of installing CentOS on one of my PC's at work (I have a KVM).

Any thoughts? Thanks,

-custangro

"How do I convince him that we CAN use Linux to the benifit of the Company?"

The same way that anything else is done in a corporate environment: you do a cost/benefit analysis of adding Linux to the mix. The problem that you face is the added costs to the company of supporting two operating systems. Linux is going to have to have a hell of a lot of financial benefit before it will even be considered.

Linux is cool. Linux is great. Agreed. But the fact is that there is no compelling corporate need to convert to it just because you like it. The cost of the OS is only a tiny part of the total operating cost. Training and support costs will be what kills your idea.

You know...I've never thought of it like that. That's a REALLY good point. Thanks for the "food for thought".

EDIT: Do you suggest that I not try at all?

-custangro

Check the articles here, they may be of some use.

But definitely look at a cost/benefit analysis and look into the TCO of Linux over Windows. In the end, it will all come down to both cost and can the service continue without you. If only you can provide support, the answer is likely to be no as you will then have your office over a barrel.

The key statement is "I see no need for it". You are marketing--even if only to your own boss. One of the cornerstones of marketing is determining what problems the customer needs to solve. Often these are problems the customer is not aware of--or for some reason does not want to acknowledge.

"EDIT: Do you suggest that I not try at all?"

Nope. Doing the analysis will probably make you more valuable as an employee. :)

I have to agree with the cost benefit analysis. Giving people the right details to make an informed decision is what it is all about in business.

There is an abundance of information on the net that could help. Search google for Linux Advocacy. Here is one such link from Linux Online. Some of the links on the document are dead, but a few of them are pretty good.

Bill

Moved: This thread is possibly more suitable in <Enterprise> and has been moved accordingly to help your thread/question get the exposure it deserves.

Thanks for all your help. I think I have A LOT of research before I present this to my boss....