Version Control Systems : Development, Comprehension and Rationalization of usage: Case Aalto University

Abstract

IT environments are a continuously changing entirety. Software and systems in these environments go through their lifecycles and then they are replaced with more advanced and economical solutions. This is a normal phenomenon in education and corporate life. The study examines if and how the different systems could be replaced with a single version control system (VCS) and how to prepare and execute an acquisition project of a new IT system. The research method is a multiple case study composed of three case studies. The findings show that users are ready to change their VCS tools to new ones, as long as they get to manage their own repositories. The departments are ready to renounce their own systems as long as the new system has all the same functions as the old systems. The reduction of the overlapping systems will also save money and the resources of the departments.