`Automation for Microsoft-based Systems is a Lot Harder than Linux-based Systems’

How has been the adoption of the LAMP stack in Indian SMBs?

Linux-based web hosting solutions have one of the largest markets in India. They are becoming increasingly popular among Indian companies primarily because of the cost factor. The availability of the LAMP stack-based servers has made it easier for companies to deploy their applications faster. Indian service providers like to program in languages like MySQL, PHP - therefore, LAMP stack-based servers have been popular in India from the very beginning.

Another important factor is the fact that automation for Microsoft-based systems is a lot harder than Linux based systems. Support for Microsoft is expensive, which may not be quite feasible for startups. This is comparatively cheaper in case of LAMP stacks.

What has been the trend in choosing Linux distros by clients in India and how is it dependent on vertical or size of the company?

Each of the Linux distributions has a distinct set of features, its own outlook and methods. It is crucial for enterprises to pick the right one that suits their needs. In the late 90's, Linux distributions started to flourish in India through computer magazines. The adoption of Linux was slow since Internet bandwidth in India was expensive at that time. However, this problem was quickly solved through the distribution of cover CDs containing full Linux distributions by technology magazines. This was a boon for many who could not afford downloading costs.

Popular Linux distros in India are:

Top-tier distros: Debian, SUSE, Fedora, Mandriva, Ubuntu

Mature 2nd-tier distros - Slackware, Gentoo, Arch & Centos

Newer 2nd-tier distros - PCLinuxOS, Puppy, Sabayon, Linux Mint

How easy it has been to customize open source solutions in order to cater to the particular needs of the client? Are there any blocking issues faced?

There are varying levels of effort needed to customize open source solutions for client needs. There are several factors that impact this decision - including thinking about long term-maintenance, optimization of the platform, initial effort and choosing the right tools to start with. These factors are coupled with the customer's plans - by better understanding short and long-term needs and plans, we are able to pick a platform appropriately and determine the level and extent of customization needed. In general and wherever possible, customization is not recommended - we need to carefully weigh the pros and cons of such a decision and take a holistic view of needs, effort and long-term management.

What trend do you notice in the training required (post-deployment) for end-users to get familiar with open source solutions? Do certain applications require a high learning curve compared to others?

In general every effort is made to minimize the learning for end-users after deployment. Whether using open source or other platforms, the focus should be on ease of use and usability. Users should need to have or care about the underlying technology and framework. User training needs to focus on getting productive and efficient, accessing the features of the system, maintenance and management of user-level information, inventory, data, etc. and reporting. In well-designed systems, this training focuses on exposure to aspects of the delivered solution, rather than rote memorization of rules, workflows and key strokes.