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Story: Linux firms rubbish Microsoft's customer win

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"when it decided to bring its outsourced Linux Web server back in house it decided to switch to Microsoft technologies to consolidate its architecture and take advantage of its in-house skills"

Sure, if have got the skills in-house it probably IS cheaper to run a Windows server on your own premises compared to running an outsourced (!) Linux server. What's more, they saying they're consolidating servers, meaning cutting down on the number of servers.
And since they don't have any Linux skills it would require them to train personel or hire.
So, no i'm also not really impressed. Bah, one can think of many, many situations when choosing for Windows IS cheaper then Linux. Just read all the Microsoft sponsered TCO studies, where a carefully tailored scenario happens to be cheaper with Windows then with Linux.

In the real world however, the sysadmin buys ONE Linux CD-box and installs (say) 25 machines. And, because (s)he has the expertise, no expensive service contract is ever needed. No extra server software, no expensive Office licences, no firewall software. And no per-user licences.
Of course, it is nowadays easier to find a Microsoft trained administrator then an experienced Linux guru. But, it is not too difficult to find admins with hands-on experience in Windows and Linux.
So, slowly mark your Microsoft servers for consolidation towards Linux. And don't be too focussed on TCO, but keep the better security, managebility and scalability in mind. It"s my experience that less Microsoft machines and more Linux in house WILL lower much of your IT costs.

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