Business in the open? (GPL Vs. ...)

["Lakshmi Anand K." <lakshmianand@xxxxxxxx>]

Apart from compilers and OS, thinking of Business apps, I'ld  come up
with two
points. (Please add more).
(Note: Forget the $Billion companies)

       A business systems needs change very frequently.

    The above point places the OSS model very preferable for business
apps.
Instead of paying a fortune to the software contractor for every
change,  they
can now get the change done in-house or for a nominal fee from anyone.

        Business systems are different from com to com.

    That too, puts OSS in an advantage. Due to the difference in
systems, many
comps cannot use standard solutions like Tally or Ex2. Sometimes, a
single simple
non-standard way of paying salary can throw away a standard Payroll
software.
They go in for custom made software. And re-invent the wheel. But since
a OSS is
fully transparent, its very easy to customize it or interface it with
custom made
patches. Or build integrated solutions. (Forget Rs.3Crore ERP. See note
above.)



A Doubt:
	Companies may not like to reveal their modus operandi to the world.
So,the OSS which is customised for the company must be availabe to the
company alone. Does GPL provide for this? 

Lakshmi Anand K.
MSPV Consultancy Services

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