Microsoft Office vs. Open Office 3.1

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Microsoft Office vs. Open Office 3.1

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01/07/2009 03:18:45

Subject: Microsoft Office vs. Open Office 3.1

EbroIN
Elite SysAider

Joined: 25/03/2009
Messages: 244
Offline

Hi all,

we are considering using openOffice (3.1) instead of Microsoft Office 2007. We don't have an Exchange Server (not yet) and are now standing at a crossroad and try to decide whether we will prolong Microsoft licenses (and introduce MS Exchange) or we change to open Office.

So far I've considered the following issues:
- Backward compatibility for old documents
- Migration path of current groupware solution
- Integratoin possibililty for existing Programs (like ERP Systems).
- Educational issues regarding a new office solution
- Licensing costs...
- Support issues

I wonder if there is someone around who can post some filed reports here that state whether to walk this painfull but free road once and live on happily ever after or to stay bound to the dark side

However I do understand that using standardized software has its advantages.

Any feedback is highly appreciated!

Thanks

Best regards - EbroIN

02/07/2009 00:48:25

Subject: Microsoft Office vs. Open Office 3.1

Obelix
SysAid Wiz

Joined: 12/06/2008
Messages: 901
Offline

Reports are gear to the sponsors' interest so be careful.
They are not entirely wrong, but they serve a "purpose".

That said,
Even with windows version of open office, there is NO decent outlook substitued on linux. So if exhcange is a must, either configure it as standard mail (pop-smtp) or buy license only for outlook. Linux mail agent that talk to exchange native is simply NOT happening for now.
And yesss.. I know about ximian's evolution - NOT happening.

You're right to worry about support.
Be sure you got them and you got linux wiz internally for 1st level support focusing on file sharing, file format and printing. If you got these three cover things would be a lot easier.

ERP is about data format, the mainstream now is xml which is native in open office. Unless you got one of those "niche" product that donesn't play well with others.

Something you seems to miss is the hardware specs. Open office came from linux. In linux GUI is treated as application that's why the os (not the office

) doesn't crash easily. But you will have to pay for that reliability with the performance. Even in native linux open office is known to be more sluggish compare to windows office on a same hardware specs. So the saving you got from licensing could go down to higher specs hardware.

Last... do not underestimate comfort zones... even with management backup, with unwilling users the change could stall long enough to make everybody wonders if the change is necessary at all... THEN you're in trouble.

An excellent guidance in change mgmt I got from one of those seminars is :

Necesity + Vision + Plan + Resource + Competence = Change

No necessity = Resistance
No vision = Confusion
Non plan = Chaos
No resource (as in money..) = Frustation
No competence (as in support...) = Fear

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 02/07/2009 00:59:07

That is not a bug, it's a feature...
When everything else fail try SysAid Wiki by Techguy

02/07/2009 03:41:26

Subject: Re:Microsoft Office vs. Open Office 3.1

EbroIN
Elite SysAider

Joined: 25/03/2009
Messages: 244
Offline

Hi Obelix,

thanks for your input. And yes - I am still afraid in introducing OO instead of MSO. I've started an internal survey whether the users could imagine NOT to have Outlook, Word and so on. I'm evaluating this right now.

I fear that this open trend might end up in a flash in the pan right here. But this is up to me to convince my management that changing a running, proven AND known system with support into an open system without known side effects.

About Outlook,

well - several users are using PDA devices and I'm not quite sure (false --> I KNOW) that those devices won't work without Outlook... *sight*

But thanks for your input.

Best regards,

EbroIN

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