The journey ahead

Hi!

Now that we have moved to a common browser and blog, we are at a common platform. So now, let's look at the journey ahead.
We have many questions, such as:

• Where do we want to reach?
• What will be our stops, and steps?
  
• How will we take each step?
• What if we get stuck?
• How ready are we for this?
• Who will help us in this journey?
  

• Where do we want to reach?

Our destination is to reach an office computing environment largely run on open-source solutions.
Considering where we are today, we can't get to that fully and easily, in one go.
So, we need to have places we can reach, stop and re-fuel ourselves, and then move forward.

• What will be our stops, and steps?

So, our first major stop will be common personal computing: browser, email, documents - text, spreadsheet, presentation, and media.
Our next stop will be specialized areas: project management, design and development, and support.
And then the third stop will be business applications.

These are the major stops. To get to each major stop, we will have steps. For instance, to get to the first major stop, we have made one step: the browser.
The second step may be email; the third media, the fourth common documents.

• How will we take each step?

For most of the areas for the first stop, we have completed a trial & evaluation of the software selected for roll-out.

For each step, we will have a named Change Champion.
This person will do a pilot, and based on his experience, create a document which will help you move.
All of you are computer-literate, and can install software on your PC/laptops. So, we will not aim to provide basic documents ( which will tell you to "Click on the Next button" with screen shots). We will aim to supply you with "read-me"s which will cover special steps for settings changes, to simplify the move, and to create standardization.
The Change Champion will also provide you with support for the transition. Where required, we will plan for a hands-on session on the open-source application. You can email/phone that person for support during the transition. As we go forward, this person will also provide you tips and tricks.
We will also do collect your feedback to ensure we understand your needs, and can resolve these.

• What if we get stuck?

While we will consider interoperability, there will be risks/ issues of file conversions/ differences in formatting. We will sometimes need to have access to old applications, especially for customer documents. So, some people (1 in Mumbai, 1 in Bangalore ) will have access to current applications. These will be used only where strictly necessary e.g. some document having formatting issues needs immediate replies.

Each of you will also have the opportunity to keep both applications - current and open-source - for a while. Do note that this dual usage will be temporary, and as with any migration, I strongly recommend minimizing use of the current application for you to switch habits. We will announce a close-down of the current applications as we go. We will also run software audits; our Process Auditor is standing by :-)

• How ready are we for this?

I am both the project leader and guinea pig for our migration. I have myself made many of the identified moves - months ago. Several of us have made some of these moves.
I can assure you, it is not difficult to move: it is more about mindset (willingness to change) than about the difficulty of the move.

We have a detailed plan for this (and yes, it's in an Open-source software).

It sounds like a lot of work.
It is. Switching to an entirely different/standard set of software is a big deal. But we can get there. And we will.

• Who will help us in this journey?

Your colleagues will be with you. There are some of you who have volunteered to help in this transition. A big thanks to:

• Amit Dasgupta
• Anirban Rakshit
• Ashish Gupta
• Nitin Ghope
• Pankaj Nawale
• Richa Priyanka
  
• Sathya

A big round of applause for them!

So, put on your seat-belts, for the flight - to an Open World.

--
Regards,
Surajit Basu

www.ibexi.com
Reflecting on the future

"Be the change you want to see"
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi