Plan to accelerate open source usage

       The next three years will be a golden time for open source providers while users will have viable applications and certified Linux-Open Office users will help create an economic impact by reducing imported software with local related business worth at least 1.5 billion baht.
       With the approval of economic stimulus package 2 to open source worth 180 million baht over the next three years,this will help to accelerate open source usage in Thailand, contributing between 1.2 to 1.5 billion baht, representing an increase of four to five times from the average 300 million baht each year, according to Dr Virach Sornlertlamvanich,Assistant Executive Director of the National Electronics and Computer Technology Centre.
       The agency will push more aggressive mode expanding adoption of "Ecolonux"modification Linux operating system from Ubuntu in Thai context for bundling in local brand PCs which currently includes five companies - D Computer,SVOA, Synnex, IT Bakery and Powell.
       Moreover, there is a plan to target some user groups through joint partnerships with education institutions.Starting with Silpakorn University which has expertise in open source 2D and 3D animation to train local businesses such as printing service companies, Maejo University in Chiang Mai will offer Learn Square, an open source learning system from Nectec.
       Prince of Songkla University will focus on open source mobile development like Android and iPhone.
       In addition, the agency will encourage more flagship open source business solutions. Apart from healthcare solution "Hospital OS", financial solutions also have potential.
       Meanwhile, Nectec will develop local certified Linux operating system at administerial and users levels for both advanced and standard degrees and certified Open Office users to create open source career paths and reduce expenses from international certified as well as increase confidence from businesses for available human resources who can support open source usage.
       It expects to have 4,000 local certified users within three years from the overall 27,000 participating trainees and 60 open source providers.
       Paitoon Butri, Software Industry Promotion Agency's open-source software manager, said this Government fiscal year which started in September, the agency will get a 35 million baht budget to promote open source - up from 26 million baht last year.
       The agency will allocate 25 million baht funding to develop Opensource in Enterprise Resource Planning by select Kernel from Compiere, Open ERP and Apache Open For Business (OFBiz) to customise for Thailand.
       "This is not redundancy with existing market because it will address companies which have 50-100 million baht revenue per year but local Thai ERP today address companies with revenue less than 50 million baht and global ERP vendor focus customers who has revenue of one billion baht."
       However, SIPA still not finalise whether it will use bidding or joint-venture model to allow local open source providers to develop this open source ERP as a National ERP to help small medium sized to use ERP solution to improve business productivity and open more opportunity in implementation service for open source providers.
       SIPA also promotes Open Office and graphic tools like Inkscape, GIMP,Blender to specific user groups like the Thai Printing Association and the Federation of Thai Industries.