| Real world case study: Linux thin client savings exceed 37% in just 8 months |
(conclusion)
Cost comparison: Windows vs. Linux
- Servers
Hardware requirements for the central server, routers, switches etc. are essentially the same with Linux as with MS Windows. Due to previous hardware obsolescence we had to do extensive upgrading of servers and routers.
Estimated costs for new hardware were $86,500.00 or $433.00 per desktop.
Labor and supply costs for cabling, network programming, initialization, migration and training were $107,500.00 or $538.00 per desktop. Total costs for servers and routers etc plus complete installation was $194,000.00 or $970.00 per desktop.
Our projections did estimate Windows to be 5-10% less expensive depending on old hardware reuse.
- Desktops
Incremental costs for each new or replaced desktop are listed below. Thin client Linux is significantly cheaper at $800.00 per desktop vs. Windows at $1,600.00. This difference is mainly due to cheaper hardware and shorter installation time. The estimated hardware life of the thin client appliance is at least 5 years, possibly up to 10.
Incremental Cost Details: Desktops
Desktop costs per year of operation including periodic software upgrades, onsite labor costs, and depreciation are far lower with Linux thin client at $233.00 vs. MS Windows at $830.00.
This steep difference is due to both much lower depreciation costs spread over more years as well as only minimal onsite labor costs.
Linux installation and lessons learned
The switch over was done over a weekend and relatively painless for most employees. Linux worked as designed and all billing, appointment and clerical software worked flawlessly.
Proprietary software (accounting, human resources) initially did not adapt well due to lack of vendor support. Thus, subsequently we bypassed the issue by keeping these functions segregated on a dedicated Windows boxes. Efforts are currently under way to remedy this problem with Windows emulation software such as Win4Lin by NetTraverse.
Other shortcomings include limitations of the Internet browser Mozilla. Some web sites cannot be successfully accessed unless Windows Internet Explorer is used. We used emulation software and successfully bypassed this issue.
OpenOffice.org with word processing and spreadsheet programs works very well in our network environment and for most users there is no significant difference between OpenOffice and MS Office. However, if files need to be sent out by email, they must be saved in the Microsoft format so that the intended recipient can open them (unless of course if he/she also uses OpenOffice).
Employee Training
One area of concern was adequate communication and training of employees.
The three most important steps in the conversion to Linux are communication, communication, and communication. The transition was anxiety provoking for many employees. Some minor changes such as a different logon prompt, different icons and screen layout were cause for concern. Printing issues were another area of concern. Linux thin client uses a central configuration for all printers, thus the local desktop control typical for Windows is lost. A default printer is set up for each user as well as a menu to allow for printing to other printers (even at other locations).
The ideal transition to Linux would have included advance-training sessions on the new desktop as well as OpenOffice training. In this area we fell short and would have benefited from a more formal training and transition schedule.
However, due to the nature of work for most staff, the amount of training is very limited. The application programs on Linux are identical to Windows; there are no training issues. OpenOffice is not a Linux product. It is an open source application providing functionalities very similar to Office 2000. Its main advantage is its price. It’s free to download or available at minimal costs from Red Hat or other vendors, including a download option from the Internet. It does require a few hours per user to become adequately familiar. This was accomplished within 2-3 weeks for most staff. For a larger organization, the software savings from not using Office 2000 are substantial and recurring.
In hindsight: was it worth it?
Absolutely!
Network stability has been phenomenal, no downtime in over 8 months. Our system is configured with extensive system monitors to constantly monitor all vital signs and sound alarms (including direct cell phone calls) when alarm parameters are reached. Thus, processes, which could potentially lead to system crashes, are monitored and remedied by the IT staff before they become systemic.
Desktop maintenance has been outstanding. We had not a single desktop breakdown. We are in the process of slowly replacing the older larger computers with new commercially available thin client appliances that fit in your palm. These units will likely last for a very long time and are completely maintenance free.
We are about 8 months into the LINUX Thin Client. We had estimated the yearly operating costs to be 37% less with Linux thin client. These saving appear to materialize nicely and we will likely exceed them in the future.
About the authors
Dr. Martin Echt MD, PhD: is a cardiologist and CEO of Capital Cardiology Assocatiates based in the Albany, New York area. The 36 physician-group powers their thin client network on the Linux operating system.
Dr. Echt attended medical school at Free University in Berlin, Germany where he graduated Magna cum Laude in 1969. He completed his PhD in Cardiovascular Physiology in 1970. He then completed his Medical Residency at Mt. Sinai Hospital in Hartford, CT and his Cardiology Fellowship at State University of New York in Buffalo, NY in 1980.
Dr. Echt is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Cardiology. He is a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology and a Member of the American College of Physicians. He is on staff at Samaritan Hospital and St. Mary's Hospital in Troy, NY. Dr. Echt is Chief Operating Officer of Capital Cardiology Associates, PC. He is Clinical Director of Cardiology for Samaritan Hospital and Director of the Board for Northeast Health in Troy.
Jorden Rosen: As the founder and CEO of Lille Corp, has spent much of his professional career analyzing corporate office workflow and streamlining office technology procedures. His interest and expertise in this area led him to develop a major document imaging product, which he introduced in 1992.
In 1998, he formed Lille Corp to apply this knowledge for the benefit of businesses in many other industries, creating custom information technology solutions for their small and mid-size offices. His first project focused on productivity enhancement in the health care sector, specifically in the area of medical records. Mr. Rosen saw that most medical offices underutilized their existing office technology, or had limited technology resources because it was beyond their budget.
Lille Corp. has gained national recognition for their Linux thin client expertise and the company is working with some of the key companies promoting networked computing on Linux. Jordan Rosen is an advocate for Linux and was recently named as a Linux luminary at LinuxWorld Magazine.
Presentation from Real World Linux trade show
Read the full presentation given by Dr. Martin Echt and Jordan Rosen at April's Real World Linux trade show held in Canada, in which they reveal the details of CCA's Linux implementation.
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