[ale] OT Linux Story

[Robert Heaven]

This was the lead story on the internal web site at Bank of America
today. The <names> have been changed to protect the innocent.

===========================================
Technology & Operations readies Bank of America for Linux
June 05, 2003
 
 
 
Many world-class companies are discovering the reliability of the Linux
operating system, and Bank of America is no exception. The seamless
integration of the operating system in certain areas of the company will
translate to significant cost savings for Bank of America while
improving system stability and functionality. That's because in addition
to being secure and cost effective, Linux provides flexibility in terms
of software and hardware compatibility.
 
Technology & Operations' Network Computing Group (NCG) successfully
piloted the operating system last year and concluded that they should
take immediate steps to incorporate Linux into the bank's strategic
technology infrastructure. Therefore, NCG launched the Linux Support
Project March 1.
 
According to <name>, Linux Design & Engineering manager, the project's
mission is to create a world-class support practice that provides
holistic Linux services to Bank of America and is a consolidated base
for successful Linux adoption and deployment. Linux is an innovative
operating system that was initially created as a hobby by a University
of Helsinki student, Linus Torvalds, in 1991. Linux is developed under
the GNU General Public License and its source code is freely available
to everyone, which allows it to be constantly improved upon.
 
"NCG will be using a carefully managed approach with respect to adopting
Linux enterprise wide," <name> said. "We are encouraging Technology &
Operations engineering teams to embrace Linux gradually. The initial
focus should be on those application or infrastructure projects that can
demonstrate a compelling financial or performance reason to move to
Linux. To help us achieve this focus, the Linux Support Project will
work closely with the Infrastructure Architecture Review Board."
 
In addition to the many technical and financial benefits Linux can
provide Bank of America, <name> also points to what Linux will mean when
recruiting talent. "College students and developers have an overwhelming
preference for Linux, creating a vast talent pool to hire from," he
said.
 
<name> warns, however, that Linux is not a cure-all operating system
that some perceive it to be. "Linux is still an emerging standard. As
such, we are going to start slowly and build momentum," he said. "If we
allow the floodgates to be cast wide open without a managed,
standards-based approach, Linux could simply become another legacy
technology environment and many of the benefits would escape us."
 
Monitoring those floodgates is one of the many Linux Support Project
tasks, helping Bank of America absorb all the Linux benefits into the
flow of everyday business.

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