The anti-virus (AV) software protecting desktops and laptops in my cyber empire is about to expire. As captain of the ship, I simply intend to renew the license from the same vendor who won the bidding last year when I was not around yet. I am satisfied with its performance. I had no trouble, none whatsoever, on malwares. I already forgot about its existence and was able to let my crew focus their attention more on things I consider much important – developing and improving application systems that can move the entire Republic to progress. However, auditors are calling on the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) to have the AV software be open for bidding, in accordance to RA 9184. Their only reason is cost. Somebody is offering a much cheaper one compared for renewing the existing license.

So I ask myself in Shakespeare’s soliloquy, “To bid or not to bid, that is the question: Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to procure cheaper slings and arrows to fight outrageous virus, or just renew the license of same arms against this sea of troubles, and by opposing what auditors wish?”

“If ain’t broke, don’t fix it!” I learned this dictum from my mentors in the IT industry the hard way. In my younger days, I was fond of tweaking small things on running systems; not for the purpose of improvement but the feeling of how things should be. The tweak spelt downtime and restoring it back where it used to be – spelt more downtime. Hell! I really regretted what I did. So from that day onward, I stick to the saying, “If ain’t broke, don’t fix it!”

To clarify matters, what does it mean by “expiration of license” on AV software? Will the software stop working or withdraw immediately from protecting computers from any viruses? No, the software will still continue to operate but with reduced capabilities. The software will cease only its definition update. It will no longer protect the computers for new threats.

So my appeal to the auditors and BAC members: if cost is your only basis for deciding. Let me tell you that renewal of contract is less expensive than what you think. There will be no man-hours and downtime required. In the new AV software, there will be lots of man-hours and downtime. The additional cost will soar up to = man-hours x per hour salary of personnel x number of personnel needed. There may be no problem with the installation of software. It can be done through the networks. However with the new AV software, the old one must be uninstalled first before installing the new one in order that there will be no systems conflict inside the computers. To uninstall the software, it requires man-hours and downtime. It must be done manually on every desktops and laptops by collecting or visiting one by one the computer users. As a consequence, I enumerate these disadvantages for bidding the AV software and if a new one wins:

• It comes out more expensive;
• There will be downtime on every computer;
• It will occupy manpower;
• I.T. personnel requires training/familiarity according to learning curve;
• It may hurt performance of computers by leaving or uninstalling configuration files or folders during the uninstall process;
• There is the danger of slowing down, hanging or freezing after the uninstall and install process; and
• The fear of the unknown.

As I make your (auditors and BAC members) life easy in the performance of your mandated tasks through the ICT solutions I have offered and given you, please also make our (ICT personnel) life easy by just renewing the license of the existing AV software . . . I know there is a way without breaking the law!