Hard cash, cold logic: Linux

"There was no issue in moving applications because they are all Web-based -- users only get a browser as a front end, so they didn't find any difference. In fact, it is easier to use because we don't have to install any applications on local machines and training is minimal," says senior business development manager Krishnamoorthy.

"This is the first software run on Tamil Nadu statewide area network (SWAN). The data capture operations were completely decentralized at the district level. It can be scaled up to the taluk level, depending on the requirements of the Food and Civil Supplies Department. Within 30 days, the team cleared the entire backlog of family card applications, and relieved the government from public pressure," Umashankar recalls.

This first project took less than a week's time to start. Today, data from 19.8 million families are available on servers hosted at the head office's mini data center. It is worth about 1 TB of data and counting. The database will be moved soon to Elcot's larger database center.

Other projects include the online registration of property, which when completed will enable citizens to register land or property online. Elcot has also recently released the first-ever Linux powered ATM. Thanks to its Linux operating system, Umashankar says, it will be available in the market at one sixth the average price of a regular ATM machine.

Cold Shoulder

But it wasn't like Elcot met success all the way. Umashankar says that Elcot faces a real challenge with certain sections of the bureaucracy. In direct opposition, with others who don't buy his 'Linux is superior theory', he has stood by his decision to migrate.

"Despite Suse Linux beating Microsoft's Windows in ease of user interface, some bureaucrats still consider that only MS-Windows is user-friendly. They refuse to look at Linux OS. It's strange. But that's only one side of the story. Many departments have also migrated to Linux after experiencing it," says Umashankar.

It helps that Umashankar threw in a sweetener. Elcot offered them a set of standardized Tamil fonts working on Linux and Windows -- free of cost.

"Until now they were buying the font license for between Rs 2,500 and 6,000 each!" he says.

Training, which can be a really big challenge with large-scale migrations, is also covered at Elcot. All government departments are offered free and paid training facilities.

Elcot has opened a full-fledged training division, which has made marked progress in the last year. Elcot is also setting up its own 300-seater training center in Chennai.