Hard cash, cold logic: Linux

Linux also offers freedom and choice which are completely missing in the proprietary domain. There is the freedom from downtime, that proprietary systems can never offer, Umashankar says. Besides, he points out that many business application majors have already released products for Linux, which means that interoperability is not going to be an issue.

"Due to our experience in the last 18 months, our trust in Linux has gone up," Umashankar says.

And so has the trust of Elcot's vendors, he says.

"One of our vendors who produces banners and pamphlets for us suffered a severe setback because a virus attacked them on the eve of a large event hosted by Elcot. In the end, we had to make our own arrangements through another vendor." He recalls how despite anti-virus updates, all their vendor's systems including their CEO's laptop was corrupted.

"Elcot has given them an ultimatum: either switch to a dependable system like Linux or lose Elcot's business," says Umashankar. Their vendor currently is in the process of switching over from Adobe Photoshop to GIMP software with enhancements.

Elcot experience might just be one pebble in the pond, but it's making its splash felt.

Kanika Goswami is a special correspondent.