Session 6 - The Myths of Support and Development
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The document discusses the current state of the library management system (LMS) market, highlighting stagnation and frustrations with proprietary systems, suggesting that open source solutions could offer benefits such as lower costs and increased flexibility. PTFS Europe emerges as a significant player in supporting and implementing open source LMS, partnering with various institutions to provide expertise, training, and ongoing support. The conclusion emphasizes the potential of open source software in libraries, advocating for collaboration between providers and users to maximize its advantages.
Session 6 - The Myths of Support and Development
- 1. Making Open Source a reality Nick Dimant – Managing Director PTFS Europe
- 2. Agenda State of the LMS market What does going open source really mean? The role of PTFS Europe Implementation services Conclusion
- 3. Current state of the Library Management System market Stagnant, mature market A few main vendors Domination of private equity companies Confusion over product direction Discontinuation of systems
- 4. Current Frustrations Slow pace of development (low ROI) Patch and mend Little new development Functionality lag Lack of Web 2.0 capability Ageing technologies E.g. Unicorn/Symphony 30 year old technology Declining levels of customer service Increasing costs Powerlessness
- 5. Is open source the answer?
- 6. Benefits of open source software Next generation technologies Impressive functionality Access to source code Gain support of world-wide community Freed from lock-in of proprietary systems Benefit from other users' customisations and contributions There are companies who will help implement and support Better value for money Remove dependence on a single supplier Software is free
- 8. Open Source is Free?
- 9. There is a cost of ownership Staff time Support costs Infrastructure
- 10. So, it’s not free, but .... Lower implementation costs Cheaper on-going costs Freedom to move between vendors Freedom to develop what you want Freedom to collaborate and share Freedom to move quickly
- 11. But no one uses open source? Application Originally Released Fact Apache Web Server 1995 Serves 49.12% of all websites – June 2008 Linux Operating System 1991 Market share of new and used PCs running Linux is expected to grow from 3% in 2003 to 7% in 2008 Mozilla Firefox 2004 19.46% market share – September 2008 OpenOffice 1999 98 million downloads as of September 2007 – maybe 20% of business market MySQL 1995 25% market share, 50,000 downloads per day Java 1995 Today's six million Java developers are one of the largest communities of software developers
- 12. Market share OSS LMS is now largest single source of new name installations in North America – outstripping proprietary vendors Good presence in Indian market Good presence in France Minimal presence so far in UK
- 13. Where is OSS successful? Where there are capable local support bases: USA Canada India France Australia and NZ
- 14. The leading provider of digital archiving solutions in North America Formed in 1995 - desktop imaging, integrated library systems and custom search systems First release of ArchivalWare digital archiving solution - 2000 ArchivalWare 4.2 released October 2008 June 2008 – Support of open source library management software
- 15. PTFS Customers – Partial list Libraries – Public • Whittier Public Library • Independence Township Library Libraries - Government • National Library of Medicine • U.S. Geological Survey • Federal Communications Commission (FCC) • Naval Research Laboratory • Department of Justice • U.S. Marine Corps (16 locations World Wide) • U.S. Air Force • U.S. Army • U.S. Attorney’s Office • Department of State • Library of Congress • Administrative Office of U.S. Court • U.S. Customs Service • International Trade Commission Library • Army Heritage Education Center (AHEC) • Department of Labor Associations • International Monetary Fund (IMF) • American Chemical Society Libraries - State • Utah Government • New Hampshire State Library Libraries – Academic • Southern Oregon University • National Defense University • George Washington University Government Institutions – non-library • National Archives and Records Administration • Department of Interior (Labatt) • Department of Defense (Joint Chiefs) • National Security Agency • National Institutes of Health • Office Secretary of Defense (OSD) • National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA) Museums • Smithsonian Institution • Museum of African American History SirsiDynix USA: Public and Academic Libraries, Government Institutions, Commercial International: (Canada, New Zealand, Chile, Greece) Commercial • National Geographic • Chicago Tribune
- 16. PTFS Europe A company formed to distribute and support the software products of PTFS, Inc Local presence Local expertise Local training Local support Focused on European context Backed up by major US presence
- 17. PTFS Europe – ArchivalWare Customers in 2008/9 York St John University Department for Communities and Local Government/ Department of Transport Planning Inspectorate Council of Europe Irish Parliament European Southern Observatory (Koha)
- 18. PTFS now Implement, Host & Support Open Source ILS software
- 19. Open Source ILS software Evergreen or Koha LMS SaaS or standalone Significant cost savings Fast development Major benefits
- 20. PTFS Europe and Equinox
- 21. Overcoming barriers No one championing open source? Budget holders or corporate procurement do not see open source as a viable alternative? Financial constraints? Everyone happy with their proprietary library system and ILS supplier?
- 22. How PTFS Europe can help Centre of excellence for open source LMS software Wealth of experience in library automation Commercial organisation with proven track record
- 23. Migrating Changing your LMS is a MAJOR undertaking Most libraries are simply unable to do it for themselves Most libraries only change system every 5 – 15 years Makes no sense to do it yourself Involves completely different skill set Need major, varying resource input for short period of time You may never do it again
- 24. Procurement Procurement can be a major obstacle: PTFS Europe can make contractual commitments Tender response Functionality Timescales Cost Support contract
- 25. It is not just the software A new kind of business environment A new kind of business model Collaboration between OSS suppliers Partnership between supplier and customer
- 26. PTFS: a business for the 21 st century Virtual office IM, Skype and web conferencing Virtual switchboard Virtual infrastructure Outsourced accounts and finance Very low non-salary costs No commuting overhead Relies on having high quality staff Major price advantage over the 20 th century companies
- 27. Partnership with customers The staff at PTFS Europe have outstanding experience in implementing and supporting library management systems The most successful OSS projects are often based on a partnership approach between supplier and customer Share the work Share the development Reduce the risk Reduce the cost Reduce the workload Retain autonomy
- 28. Implementation and Support Services from PTFS Europe
- 29. Offerings Implementation Ongoing support Hosting (SaaS) Consultancy Partnership
- 30. Implementation package Project Management Installation and configuration of LMS Data conversion and loading into LMS Implementation workshop Training Custom reports Custom programming Advanced configuration
- 31. Ongoing support Web based: Open calls Update calls Review calls Close calls Phone for critical calls
- 32. Managing Open Source Updating code repository Keeping up to date with developments Applying bug fixes Annual upgrades
- 33. Hosting We manage the server for you You still manage and control your LMS We upgrade the LMS High class data centre Secure Resilient 365 days a year, 24/7 Annual fee
- 34. A survey November-December 2008 Carried out by Ian Haydock, Keele University The use of Open Source software by UK Higher Education libraries
- 35. We are unaware of what software is available (9) We need software which is not currently available via Open Source (4) We don't have time or staffing to set up these applications (19) We don't have time or staffing to maintain these applications (23) Paid-for systems offer better support in a crisis (8) Our institution restricts use of Open Source software (4) Why doesn't your Library make more use of Open Source software?
- 36. We are unaware of what software is available (9) We need software which is not currently available via Open Source (4) We don't have time or staffing to set up these applications (19) We don't have time or staffing to maintain these applications (23) Paid-for systems offer better support in a crisis (8) Our institution restricts use of Open Source software (4) Why doesn't your Library make more use of Open Source software?
- 37. Why doesn't your Library make more use of Open Source software?
- 38. Conclusion The advantages of working with PTFS Europe Gain the advantages of open source software Benefit from high quality implementation and support services Reduced cost Increased autonomy Low risk Next generation technologies The best of both worlds
- 39. Making Open Source a reality with PTFS Europe