Linux pilot a success

During a pilot project for Linux Simple Internet Server (SIS) for 20 companies conducted by the National Electronics and Computer Technology Centre (Nectec), SMEs found that they could save on software licensing costs by up to 50,000 baht.

The Linux SIS project ran for six months, from May to October 2006 with 20 participants who were system integrators (SIs) and SMEs.

According to Nectec deputy director Dr Kwan Siththani, the project evaluation found that most participants favoured Linux SIS for managing Intranet mail, for file sharing, and as a web proxy and they were likely to shift to Linux SIS implementation in their organisations.

Dr Kwan noted that success factors for the project included executives' policies in pushing open source utilisation in both SIs and SMEs. It also learned that SIs should select people who were interested and ready to learn about Linux server while SIs had concerns about after-sales service.

In terms of cost savings, it found that most SMEs who ran Linux SIS could really save from 5,000 to 50,000 baht on the cost of a software licence, but they were still concerned about the reliability of the software and after sales services if they were to shift totally from licensed software to Open Source.

The deputy director noted that most participants agreed that the Linux SIS could really run basic functions efficiently, at low cost, legally and it could be applied to a business such as for network email sharing. They thought that the project was helpful and that there should be Linux SIS training courses for SMEs.

However, he admitted that the project had been weak in terms of public relations so it needed better promotion in order to have a strong user community.

Nectec, meanwhile, has signed an MoU with the Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) to support e-business for Thai entrepreneurs. Nectec director Dr Pansak Siriruchatapong said collaboration among business groups around a data exchange standard was significant for e-business and could enhance competitiveness.

Nectec has supported Open Source and the development of open standards for TCC and its members for network development, application software and services to enhance the management capability.

Both parties would set up a working group on a data exchange standard for e-business by promoting TCC members to use Open Source software.

Citing a Sipa report, Dr Pansak noted that the total value of software and services for Thailand in 2005 was around 48 billion baht with 20 percent growth projected until 2007. However, the BSA had found that the copyright infringement in Thailand was over 80 percent.

According to an IDC study, he said that if Thailand could reduce copyright violations by ten percent, it would be able to build the economic value up to 1.9 billion baht, create some 4,700 IT positions, and increase the domestic market to over one billion baht.

This indicated that Thailand was still lacking in technology readiness. The Nectec director also said he would like to promote Open Source software and open standards based on the collaboration of every party, the ICT ministry and the private sector.

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