[ossig] Help: How to Beat Microsoft OLP (Long-ish!)

[Senandung Mendonan <mendonan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dear list,

I work for a startup system integrator company, setting up office LANs for 
a few other companies. We try our best to push OSS solutions, but we do 
buy Windows licenses if our clients insist.

One particular client got us pretty excited: they have been happily 
running a mixed environment under us: Backend is a mix of Windows 2003 
server for domain, desktop and antivirus management, and OSS stuff for the 
usual web, mail, DNS, DHCP, etc. with 50+ XP workstations. After a year, 
they decided to evaluate between:-

1. Going for full OSS desktops, after some of our advocacy of course. ;-).

or

2. Going for full MS solution, from backend to front (MS Collaboration 
Server, Exchange+Outlook, you name it). <spine-chill> ..the last thing we 
need!..

or

3. Stay as is. (mixed)

Among others, they asked for a cost comparison (naturally, the 1st thing 
they ask for).

The problem is, the Windows 2003 server, the 50+ CALs, MS Project, Office 
Pro 2003, etc. are all OLP (Microsoft open license), not expiring until 
2006. Our local Microsoft reseller says something more:-

"There is no need to renew Microsoft OLP licenses as they are permanent. 
The Expiry dates refer to the last day to re-order using the OLP 
Agreement. After the expiry, if you need to make OLP purchases, you need 
to purchase at least 5 licenses (combinations of any products). Within the 
valid period, you can make a re-order of any number of licenses."

What I can make out of it: OLP licenses are permanent, no renewals, 
unlimited purchases, except need to buy any 5 licenses after 2006...

In this case, does this mean migrating to OSS would actually be more 
_expensive_ in pure $$$ sense? Especially since we're thinking of 
deploying Novell Suse desktops and some of their commercial offerings. 
Don't know how we got OLP licenses in the first place (a previous guy 
worked on it), but looks like we paid our way into a Microsoft hole -- a 
deep one.

Any ideas on how to counter this? Or I would have to rely on some sort of 
long-term cost-benefit analysis (need help here: any pointers), or the 
hidden/intangible costs, etc. as in http://www.opensource.org/advocacy .

Some ideas at this point:-

1. Stress on the MS Collaboration, Exchange-Outlook additional license 
charges, if any (since we have OLP, even these products are at 0 cost, 
right?)

2. Stress on additional charges for antivirus licenses, for workstations 
and servers, and services (e.g. antivirus for Exchange).

3. Charge more for our professional services for the full MS option ;-)

Appreciate any help.. thanks.

--mendonan
"Yang mimpikan secangkir kopi panas dengan selimut.."
  (Dreaming of a cup of hot coffee, and a blanket..")


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