Department
of Information Systems
Department
of Information Systems
Date: Wednesday, 28 May 2003
Time: 12h30-14h00
Venue: Leslie Commerce, Upper Campus, Room 6.14
Speaker: Mr. Kevin Johnston
Title: An Evaluation of the Factors that Impact Open Source Software Uptake
in South African Organisations
Kevin Johnston is a senior lecturer in the Department of Information Systems. He graduated from UCT with a M.Com. He has held various managerial positions within IT Departments at BOE, Lifegro, Liberty Life and De Beers.
TOPIC
This report endeavoured to unearth the impediments that have influenced the usage and adoption of Open Source Software (OSS) within the South African commercial environment. This environment includes both the private and public sectors. Although technical issues cannot be discounted in the process of decision making, this report was not technically focussed but rather evaluated the situation from a commercial perspective.
The subject was approached through an in depth analysis of organizations actively seeking or considering OSS as a real alternative, and explored both their apprehension and interest of such a migration. Specific attention was given to the difference in criteria that face the public sector in comparison to the private sector.
Throughout our investigations, we identified a reluctance to fully convert to OSS given its current lack of international corporate buy in, together with a perceived weak support structure. The subsequent progress in dealing with these issues by OSS distributors was analysed.
This report undertook to provide an objective approach by considering both proprietary and OSS perspectives. The report highlights that ignorance remains a key obstacle to OSS adoption in the commercial environment.
A finger lunch and refreshments will be provided. For further information on the seminar, please call: 650-4028 or e-mail Aayesha.Patel@uct.ac.za