Open source making its mark in NZ

Kiwi firms are finally latching on to open source software, early survey results show.

The survey is part of the Public Sector Remix project to investigate the use of free open source software on public sector desktops, and seeks to identify the number and capability of New Zealand companies providing and supporting the software.

Fourteen central and local government agencies are on board, including NZ Post and the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

John Rankin, director of project management firm Affinity, which is running the survey along with Victoria University's school of information management, says the results may dispel some myths.

"There was a bit of a perception at the start of the survey that there wasn't a lot of capability in the market. We had a guess at the start that we might get between 20 and 30 responses but as of Monday we had received 25 responses and now a number of other companies are planning to respond.

"There's a lot more interest than there was even a year ago from companies large and small."

The true extent of open source capability among New Zealand firms will not be known until the results are analysed, he says. "Large government agencies are going to be looking for support from organisations of a commensurate size."

The survey asks firms what open source software they have and what open source projects they have taken part in, as well as their plans.

"Companies won't invest until they know there's a market but the public sector isn't going to go out and look for services until it knows it will get reliable services

"... we want to build a bit of momentum so companies have the confidence to be making investments and building their capability as the public sector scales up to take advantage of this."

Survey respondents will remain anonymous but could be included in a directory of firms providing open-source software, Mr Rankin says.

The survey should also shatter the perception that the software is "not ready for a prime-time role on the desktop".

"That's simply not true any more. For more than 90 per cent of people more than 90 per cent of the time from out-of-the-box it will do what you want."

New Zealand Open Source Society president Don Christie says some agencies involved in the Remix project will begin piloting open source desktop software in the new year.

- © Fairfax NZ News