Open source software provides entrepreneurs with low-cost or free options to build out basic IT infrastructure. It allows for customization and comes with support from user communities. Early stage entrepreneurs benefit from open source as they typically have limited resources, skills, and market share. Common open source applications that can meet the needs of entrepreneurs include operating systems like Ubuntu, office suites like LibreOffice, databases like MySQL, and customer relationship management (CRM) systems like Sugar CE. When adopting open source, entrepreneurs should evaluate factors like laptop vs. desktop needs, on-site vs cloud-based solutions, and whether to outsource or manage IT in-house.

1. How Open Source Can Help
Entrepreneurs
23 & 24 Dec 2014

2. What is Open Source?
Open source commonly refers to software that uses an
open development process and is licensed to include the
source code.
Open source software goes one step beyond freeware. Not
only does it provide the software for free, it provides the
original source code used to create the software.
Users can modify it to make it work better for them. By its
nature, open source software is pretty well immune to all
types of computer viruses.

3. Characteristics of Early Stage
Entrepreneurs
High on Passion
Low on Resources (Manpower & Money)
Individual or a Small Team with Limited Skills
Negligible Market Share
Thin Profit Margin
Limited Credibility

4. Minimum Resources Needed
Domain Knowledge
Variety of Skills
Adequate Funds
Dependable Communication Channels
Products or Services with Market Potential

5. What Makes Open Source Suitable?
Zero cost
Can be customized or modified
Well Tested
Support available in most cases
No license required

6. Minimal IT Infrastructure Required
Computing Hardware
Internet Access & Bandwidth Distribution
Data Storage, Distribution and Backup
Printing & Scanning
Networking IT Resources

7. Commonly Used Office Applications
OS (Linux Flavors like Ubuntu, Fedora,..)
Office Apps (Libre Office, Open Office,...)
EMail (Thunderbird, GMail....)
Video Conferencing (Skype, Google Voice,..)
VoIP (Asterisk,..)
Databases (MySQL, PostGreSQL,..)

8. Proven Enterprise Grade
Open Source Software
HR (Orange HR, Sentrifugo,.. )
Accounting (GNUCash,TurboCash,.. )
ERP (Open Bravo, ERPNext,..)
CRM (vTiger, Sugar CE,..)
CBT (Moodle, Sakai,...)
Website (Jhoomla, Drupal,...)

9. IT Issues that need Analysis
Laptop vs Desktop
Standalone vs Networked Printers
MFD vs Independent Scanners
PSTN vs PRI
Datacard vs Bband vs Cable vs Leased Line
Outsourcing vs Inhouse IT management
Leveraging Cloud Comp. (Iaas, Paas, Saas)

10. Basic Network Components
DHCP Server
DNS Server
Proxy cum Firewall Server
Content Filtering
NFS
Network Monitoring
Automated Alerts and Data Backups

11. Widely Used Open Source Software
Ubuntu (OS)
Libre Office (Office work)
Firefox/Chrome (Browser)
Thunderbird (EMail Client for PoP iMap)
GMail (Webmail)
Gimp (Image Manipulation)
Audacity (Audio Recording/Editing)
Open Shot (Video Editing)
Asterisk (VoIP based PBX)
Freemind (Mind Mappting), etc…..

12. Thank You
jbhavsar@itm.edu
jbhavsar@gmail.com