By Tom S. Noda & Vernadette T. Joven
December 1, 2007

Like an answered prayer, the rising trend in free and open source software (FOSS) comes to the rescue of many IT users from small to medium-sized enterprises (SME) who continue to struggle with expensive proprietary software licenses.

Most participants of the Computerworld Philippines Executive Briefing, entitled “Deploying Open Source Software,” expressed that FOSS is now timely as they search for ways to save on IT expenditures.

“As an SME, we’re in a survival mode. We can’t afford to pay too much on software licenses,” says Cherry Grace Diaz, executive vice president and CIO of Johnield Construction & Development Corporation.

“We have current licenses that have already expired and so we are looking into other options like going into open source instead of renewing the solutions and applications licenses,” says Nanette Dacayo, acting assistant manager of Home Development Mutual Fund, Pag-Ibig. In an interview with Computerworld Philippines, Dacayo cites the Samba data server and other desktop systems as some of the specific open source software that they are looking into.

Schools are also looking at open source as the solution to cut expenses. “We really want to cut down cost on proprietary software, that’s the primary reason why we plan to migrate,” says Francis Javier, IT supervisor of the Statefields School in Cavite City.

Maria Theresa Nicolas-Pancho, dean of the College of Computer Science at Arellano University, says they are considering adoption of some open source applications but not totally migrating to it. “We are finding ways to minimize cost from the software licenses, but I would also like to find out how useful these open source technologies will be by the time our students graduate and if it is applicable for SMEs.”

Jay Carizo, research and development officer of Institute for Popular Democracy (IPD), on the other hand, is more interested in how to utilize open source in an enterprise setting.

IPD is a non-profit organization which advocates the use of FOSS and offers applied technology and information solutions (ATIS) to local government units (LGUs) and SMEs. “Our aim is to bridge the gap and offer alternative solutions that cost less and easy to deploy,” shares Carizo

By providing training which costs 280 pesos per organization, LGUs and NGOs in return can use the software, which IPD develops, for free. Currently, IPD’s Project Legis, a legislative system for the local sanggunian is being used in Gian, Samar; Daraga, Albay; San Jose, Antique; Anda, Bohol; and Roxas, El Nido and Coron in Palawan.

FOSS Education
Forum participants revealed learning a lot about FOSS from the speakers, namely Luisito Paulino, IM infrastructure manager of Jollibee Foods Corp.; Patrick Reidenbach, general manager of UR Solutions, Inc.; Nilo Poso, CEO and chief software architect of Digital Infostructure; and Johann Tagle, president of Sagada Solutions Corporation.

Participants of the FOSS session shared the event was worth their while, although some of them found a few discussions to be too technical.

“The speakers are very knowledgeable, although at first I was intimidated with Mr. Paulino’s presentation, very techie,” Saculles comments. “But actually it’s very good and those are the kind of projects that I’m looking for with my company, and I may even personally consult Mr. Paulino.”

Diaz of Johnield Construction was also impressed with Paulino’s presentation. She particularly liked the part where Paulino revealed how they were able to manage Jollibee’s entire network with only one system operator.

Diaz described open source as a “beautiful concept.” She, however, remarked that only one is getting richer and fatter when it comes to the present relationship between proprietary software firms and users.

Statefields’ Javier, meanwhile, was happy with Reidenbach’s presentation. “I like the one from UR Solutions. He demonstrated how simple it is. You have proprietary software and you have open source as an alternative.”

Praising Foss

Congressman Teodoro Casiño, keynote speaker of the event and author of House Bill 1716 (formerly 5769) also known as FOSS Act 2007, predicted FOSS would lead to usage of legal and affordable software that are stable, user-friendly and low-cost. Other benefits include reduction in software piracy, and emergence of local software companies.

Casiño’s proposed bill earned praise and support from participants of the open source forum.

“I think it’s a very good idea,” says Scherzando Tan, international communication assistant of Metrobank. “Since 2004 up to the present software piracy increased. I think open source could improve our image and it would also be for the good of the country and economy.”

Tan says that although he is already familiar with open source software, like Unix and Linux, he was enlightened upon hearing Casiño’s FOSS advocacy. “It opened up my mind. There’s a need for us not to stay in one operating system.”

Reggie Saculles, CIO of leasing firm Delbros Waterfront (Delwater), says he fully supports the passage into law of Casiños proposed bill.

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