Open Source Business Software Solutions for Autumn

Streak

Daniel Callahan

Ross Eshleman

Sarah Caruso

Concerns for Autumn Streak What types of Open Source Business Software would benefit our

company the most, and how much could it benefit our company?

A missed day in our supply chain can mean thousands of dollars in lost income, so how reliable is Open Source Business Software and how can we account for failures in software?

Is Open Source Business Software secure, or is there greater risk using open source software?

Open Source Business Software is constantly changing, how can our company keep up with the constant updates without losing work time?

If we encounter any questions or problems with Open Source Business Software, can the questions be easily addressed and answered or not?

 Would using Open Source Business Software reduce lead times? 

Open Source Business Software Background

Open-source model of operation and decision making allows for concurrent input of different agendas, approaches and priorities, and differs from the more closed, centralized models of development

The principles and practices that are commonly applied to the development of source code for software are made available for public collaboration thus resulting in the release of open-source software

Open Source Business Software Background

Open-source software is computer software for which the human-readable source code is made available under a copyright license. 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 (online forum)

The core coding of the software is viewable and able to be edited to suit the needs of the user

An Open Source Discussion

Common Choices of Open Source Software

Choices for businesses using open-source software Free, community-supported version of an application Fee-based enterprise version

Includes support, service, updates and other features

According to Bill Parducci, CTO of Los Angeles-based Think Passenger Inc., more examples of software that takes a "hybrid approach" between open source, closed source, functionality, risk and support are being seen. This brings to thought the idea that not all problems can be

necessarily solved by open source systems, so it might be best to have other options available.

Advantages of Using Open Source Systems

Reliability Failures rarely occur and when/if they do the faults are generally

easily fixable

Stability A choice to use open-source software can provide a counter to

the pressures to upgrade for the vendor's commercial purposes

Auditability It is easier to spot potential security problems and correct them. You also do not have to trust a vendor’s claims of ways to fix

problems

Advantages of Using Open Source Systems

Cost The majority of open-source business systems are free of cost

Nevertheless, it is important to note that sometimes paying a small fee for open-source business systems allows for better, more efficient features

Others Little administrative overhead needed

Reduced need for upgrades

Near zero vulnerability to viruses

Benefits of Using Open Source Systems

Flexibility and Freedom Freely choose solutions most pertinent and beneficial to your users

Free of dependency on other products or software Freedom of a single vendor: Vendors can go out of business, which

would be devastating to a business with great reliance on the vendor

Openness to modify your software You are not limited to what one company thinks you need Open source software is tailored to the way the company does

business rather than to the way the vendor does its business

Disadvantages of Using Open Source Systems

Note: Most of the disadvantages only apply if you are not somewhat code-savvy

Some open-source projects stall and die Application could be full of security bugs Or if you could get them fixed it would require paying an expert

Support issues Again, if bugs are found paying an expert is the most common fix

Possible poor integration with Microsoft

Lack of capabilities and features

Open Source Business Software Recommendations for Autumn Streak

There is a plethora of open-source software online

Our recommended software types:

MySQL Many of the world's largest and fastest-growing organizations use

MySQL to save time and money

Assists in closely monitoring critical business systems Lead times and supply management operations

Offers a comprehensive set of training courses that gives a competitive edge

Open Source Business Software Recommendations for Autumn Streak

PostgreSQL Runs on all major operating systems: Linux, UNIX (AIX, BSD, HP-

UX, SGI IRIX, Mac OS X, Solaris, Tru64) and Windows

No associated licensing cost for the software Legendary reliability and stability

It is extremely common for companies to report that PostgreSQL has never, ever crashed for them in several years of high activity operation

Comprehensive online support in the form of an online community and forums for specific question from the user

Highly Customizable PostgreSQL runs stored procedures and library interfaces in more than a

dozen programming languages (Java, Perl, Python, C/C++, its own PL/pgSQL (similar to Oracle's PL/SQL), and others

An Open Source Example: COMPIERE

Compiere is an ERP Open Source software

Compiere, Inc. delivers the world's most widely used open source enterprise resource planning (ERP)

Compiere's solutions enable distribution, manufacturing, retail, and professional services companies to gain competitive advantage through the automation of financial, distribution, sales, and service processes

Proposed Plan of Action for Autumn Streak

Weigh both the pros/cons and benefits of open-source software to conclude whether or not it be appropriate

If be, decide on budget for transition to open-source Evaluate the different types of open-source software Choose the best-fit software type for Autumn Streak Prepare to hire, at minimum, an employee to manage

the new software system that has been implemented After a given period of time, reevaluate the new system

to see whether or not success has been achieved

Questions???