ESR migrates to open source to cut supplier “lock-in” risks

Engineering and risk management consultancy ESR Technology has migrated to open source software in a bid to reduce its own exposure to risk.

The move is aimed at cutting the financial and business risks associated with vendor “lock-in”.

ESR, a venture capital funded spin-off company from AEA (formerly the Atomic Energy Authority), has installed a complete open source infrastructure to support 100 users across six sites in the UK and Middle East.

The company worked with open source firm Sirius to design and implement an enterprise-class solution that can be scaled up without any additional software licensing costs.

ESR's desktops remain Windows-based, but all network services are now running on open source software. The firm has deployed an open source groupware solution – with e-mail, webmail, group calendaring and directory services – in preference to Microsoft’s Exchange Server and Active Directory.

Sean Harmer, ESR’s IT manager, said, “We inherited our old proprietary infrastructure but were unhappy with its cost and performance. We wanted more control over our own IT infrastructure and a more responsive service.

“We knew open source software works seamlessly with our Windows PCs and delivers a level of performance and availability that you just can't find with expensive proprietary brands.”