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BB completes XP migration to open source
[May 30, 2006]

BB completes XP migration to open source


(BNamericas.com Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)Federally owned Banco do Brasil has completed the migration of all its Windows XP computers to the OpenOffice.org open source suite, reported local tech service Computerworld.

The migration involved 35,000 PCs, and Banco do Brasil now aims to migrate another 30,000 computers that use the OS/2 operating system. These should all migrate to the OpenOffice.org system by year-end.

Brazil was one of the first countries in the region to adopt a policy of migration to open source at the government level, prompting multinationals to increase development in this area.

One such case is IBM (NYSE: IBM), which installed a Linux Technology Center in Brazil and recently invested US$2.2mn to expand the center, at its Campinas and Hortolndia sites in So Paulo state. The investment will cover new equipment and hiring of extra developers, with a view to boosting the center's activities.



Brazil's strong role in Linux development is a key driver for the open source movement, IBM Brasil's Linux Technology Center manager Jovanco Corra told BNamericas.

"Worldwide Brazil accounts for 2-3% of IT development, but in as regards Linux Brazil accounts for 20-30% of development," said Corra.


Corra also notes that Brazil also has a very high level of skilled open source programmers, and governmental institutions are helping to drive open source uptake.

"The Hortolndia center should be opened in June," he said, adding, "We will increase the number of employees from 10 to 45 people."

"We expect investment and the number of employees to grow in the future," he added, without giving details.

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