Site Meter Tux Watch » Blog Archive » SME-in-a-Box | FOSS for the Small & Medium Enterprise

SME-in-a-Box | FOSS for the Small & Medium Enterprise

by Fouad Bajwa

Software For Business

Thanks to our friends from the UNDP-APDIP-IOSN International Open Source Network’s ASEAN+3 Node in the Philippines [here] who only recently organized the Asia Source 2 FOSS Camp in Indonesia [here] have produced a CD Package, filled with useful FOSS based free business applications titled SME-in-a-Box. I was lucky enough to be there and recieve a copy of the CD the content of which I will now be sharing through TuxWatch.org exclusively for our readers.

“SME-in-a-Box? is a toolkit designed to meet the specialized needs of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) based on Free and Open Source Software (FOSS). The aim is to provide a selection of peer-reviewed software and material, which help businesses to grow. SME-in-a-Box leverages the power of FOSS for social and economic development. The collection comprises of software and manuals for general use of SMEs in their daily operations and management. Online links for each application will be conveniently included on this website directing the end-user to relevant websites and thus, gaining quick access to both downloades and advanced technical documentations and case studies.

These FOSS applications are aimed at further enhancing the productivity and increasing efficiency in the workplace. Said applications were selected for inclusion as they are considered suitable for ease of deployment and use coupled with optimum functionality along with the other advantages FOSS has to offer. It has to be noted that though the applications have been classified as “function-specific,? the software applications offer a certain level of flexibility.

The applications are grouped in function-specific categories, as follows:

  • Accounting and Inventory Management
  • E-commerce
  • Customer Relationship Management
  • Human Resource Management
  • System and Network Management
  • Security
  • Document Management
  • Content Management
  • File and Print Serving
  • Personal Information Management
  • Mail and Messaging
  • Voice Over Internet Protocol
  • Groupware

Advantages:

The best advantage is that SME-in-a-Box provides physical access to a range of free and low-cost tools accompanied by explanations, introductory material and documentation. Its also helpful for particular use at consulting services and trainings, which aim at introducing FOSS to SMEs.

The material used in the box provides models of technology implementation for low-resourced enterprises that are using old or outdated equipment and refurbished computers. They can provide access to software that is localized in terms of language as well as in terms of the specific context. The box is purposefully selective, making specific recommendations and choices, not trying to include every possible tool for every possible job at hand, thereby cutting down on the overwhelming choices SMEs face when trying to decide which software tools to use for which purpose.

Terms of Use:

“SME-in-a-Box? is inspired by the ‘NGO-in-a-Box? project developed by Tactical Technology and Collective partners, which is tailored to the needs of non-governmental organizations (NGOs). NGO-in-a-Box is comprised of several editions with themes such as security, audio-video, etc. “SME-in-a-Box? draws on and references to some of the themes, which are particularly relevant for small and medium-sized enterprises such as security, open publishing etc.

You are free to reproduce and distribute the contents of this box based on the license agreement. Print-ready versions of printed materials are available in many cases, should you wish to print more copies yourself.

Also, do share your feedback with me through comments and send suggestions and evaluations to the original producers of the SME-in-a-Box, IOSN ASEAN+3 by dropping an email to asean3@iosn.net.

Did You Enjoy this Post? Subscribe to Tux Watch. It's Free!

Leave a Reply


About Tux Watch

Are you tired of Windows crashing , removing spyware, viruses, and proprietary lock-in? Are you frustrated with licensing fees and software activation demands? Are you dreading the arrival of Windows Vista, with its increased hardware requirements? Are you willing to try something different?

Tux Watch will search the web for the best resources of software, top articles and tips and even have tutorials to get you started. Linux is a free and open-source operating system that has seen tremendous growth in the past several years. Linux is stable, secure, and very powerful. It is also has tremendous capabilities, far beyond those available with other operating systems. .

Tux Watch Author(s)
    » Jeff-Christman

Technology Channel Posts

Hot Off The Press

  • TNA Impact 11/20/08 Full SHOW - Video
    TNA Impact 11/20/08 [...]
  • Fun Friday Poll
    Criminal Minds is full of beautiful smart people - but who would you want to go on a date with? Let's see who you'd most want to spend a fun evening with...and we'll do a poll for which CM lady [...]
  • Ashlee Simpson's Baby Boy - Bronx Mowgli Wentz
    24-year-old singer Ashlee Simpson-Wentz has given birth to her first child. The baby boy named Bronx Mowgli Wentz was born on Thursday November 20 at Cedars Sinai Medical Center. Ashlee Simpson [...]
  • Stroller Trama…
    LONDON, England (CNN) -- Parents who choose a stroller that seats their baby facing away from them could risk long-term development problems in their children, according to a study published [...]
  • FuLL Smackdown! 11/21/-8 - Video, WATCH BEFORE IT AIRS!!!
    SMACKDOWN - 11/21/08 (HD) [...]
  • Talking to Someone After A Failed Suicide Attempt
    I've screwed up more suicide attempts than I care to admit, so I'm sadly more than qualified to write this article. If you're reading this, chances are you have also gone through a failed suicide [...]
  • 5 Awesome Restaurants to Have Lunch or even Dinner (Day 3 of 4)
    1. Zely & Ritz (North Carolina): This establishment has a chef that knows the value and virtue of fresh food from the ground. The chef and his wife work the restaurant and his wife oversees the [...]
  • The Office: "Frame Toby"
    Probably their worst effort to date. And we're going to keep this pithy because it's late, we're tired and do not have much constructive to say. Basically, when it starts to feel like every episode [...]
  • “In the midnight hour” Recap
    A lot happened in this episode. So let’s get right to it. Boy, Callie is having a rough time isn’t she? First George cheats on her and divorces her, then she hooks up with Hahn only to have her [...]
  • Seattle Weekend Edition for 11/22/08
    We are just one week from Thanksgiving and just over a month away from Christmas. The Christmas sales are everywhere and stores are doing everything they can to lure your into their stores. Have you [...]