Need help with some Open Source Research

[MogenNaidoo]

Hi guys,
I've posted this elsewhere but maybe you guys can be more help as mybroadband is more technically inclined:
I'm currently doing some research for work and would like some help or any ideas relating to Open Source Software particularly relating to businesses in South Africa.
So basically I need some information on the following:

1. What is Open source? (not too detailed as most of us already know this)

2. Which companies/businesses are using open source in South Africa?

3. What services are being offered in terms of Opensource and which companies are providing these services?

4. Also out of interest do you think that an auditing and advisory firm can tap into this market, what sort of services do you think an auditing and advisory firm can perform for companies in open source.

Any help or ideas even if it's from the top of your head (must be valid though) would be really appreciated.
Thanks!

 

[feo]

Hi guys,
I've posted this elsewhere but maybe you guys can be more help as mybroadband is more technically inclined:
I'm currently doing some research for work and would like some help or any ideas relating to Open Source Software particularly relating to businesses in South Africa.
So basically I need some information on the following:

1. What is Open source? (not too detailed as most of us already know this)

Open source software is computer software for which the human-readable source code is made available under a copyright license (or arrangement such as the public domain) that meets the Open Source Definition. This permits users to use, change, and improve the software, and to redistribute it in modified or unmodified form. It is often developed in a public, collaborative manner. Open source software is the most prominent example of open source development and often compared to user generated content.

Basically, open source makes the code that was used to build a piece of software available to anyone who wants it and they're free to edit the code and add functionality to the software.

2. Which companies/businesses are using open source in South Africa?

Not sure but many companies have instances of Openoffice on their PCs.

3. What services are being offered in terms of Opensource and which companies are providing these services?

http://www.opensourceafrica.org/

Google turns up a few more but nothing really substantial.

4. Also out of interest do you think that an auditing and advisory firm can tap into this market, what sort of services do you think an auditing and advisory firm can perform for companies in open source.

Eish, I'll pass on that question.

 

[MogenNaidoo]

thanks man. It's a start!
This is what I have so far:
1. As mentioned, the source code is available to modify and customise
2. Companies involved in open source in south africa are:
Pick n Pay - currently using open source in the POS (point of sale systems, till points) and office (open office etc.)
Tiger Brands - using in the inventory, manufacture, supply and delivery
Government (not company but they showing initiatives) - migrated IT software to open source (linux, open source, servers etc.)

3. Companies offering their services are:
IBM - SA business toolkit - the latest information and communication technologies to help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in emerging markets learn and implement sustainable business management practices, Apache for J2EE applications.
Sun - Has made java free, identity management suit with auditing capabilities. From desktopn systems to servers. Consulting and IT services in open source
HP - Provides consulting and support services around open source, IT infrastructure and Linux.

This is what I managed to come up with so far. And obviously there must be more companies doing this as well as SME's offering open source services.

 

[frozt01100101]

1. What is Open source? (not too detailed as most of us already know this)

Well explained by the first person.

2. Which companies/businesses are using open source in South Africa?

I'm sure you will find many business' running their servers on Linux, especially ISP's and hosters. Also another very notable product which you will often find all over the place which people are using is Firefox. I know the entire infrastructure of CUM Books is running on open source software, though.

3. What services are being offered in terms of Opensource and which companies are providing these services?

I guess that depends on the market you're in, but my company for instance specialises in open source solutions for the SOHO and small business market.

4. Also out of interest do you think that an auditing and advisory firm can tap into this market, what sort of services do you think an auditing and advisory firm can perform for companies in open source.

To the first part, yes.

 

[MogenNaidoo]

Great Frozt,
So what sort of solutions does your company provide to SOHO?
Besides providing infrastructure development and software based on open source do you guys provide consulting services as well as security services based on open source. How do you guys go about doing this?

 

[frozt01100101]

At the moment, mostly in the server-side and network side of things (storage systems, coherent (and more secure than m$ dohs) server solutions, VoIP systems). Not going to step into the desktop market too quickly, as it's not something which you really want to touch too easily when you're still a growing business (too many different variables and such). Consulting and security, yes as well, but each to a varying degree. Our own products/solutions are secure (as much as the base it is built on, and we make an effort to keep on the trends as much as possible to have a highlight on any security risks which may arise, as well as having auditing systems in place on our products, so it's a proactive approach instead of a retroactive one.

"Plan for what is difficult while it is easy, do what is great while it is small." -Sun Tzu