Tux Watch

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used in the box provides models of technology implementation for low-resourced enterprises that are using old or outdated equipment and refurbished computers.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.