Open Source Business Cluster launched in New South Wales

Hamish Taylor
Sunday, 16 November 2008 11:03

Business IT - Open Source

On the 7th November 2008, at the Australian Google Headquarters in Sydney, New South Wales, an Open Source Business Cluster was announced. The aim of the cluster is to more effectively market, deliver and provide support for Open Source technology to business and government agencies.

A Business Cluster is a collection of companies with complementary skills. For example, you might find a car mechanic located next to a wheel alignment and tyre repair company. Whilst they are independent businesses, they may refer work to each other and customers may find it more convenient to get services.

Australian IT Service Providers Digital Armour Corporation, Syntonic Corporation Pty Ltd and PretaWeb Pty Ltd are the founding members of the Open Source Business Cluster. The initiative is supported by an establishment grant from the NSW Government (via the Department for State and Regional Development), which has embraced Open Source Software and Open Standards in recent years.

The companies employ over 40 technical staff. They provide Open Source solutions for most business needs including:
* Website development, Content Management Systems, e-commerce
* ERP, CRM, Business Intelligence
* Networking, VPN, VoIP
* Managed Services, email filtering, system security, site audits
* Data Storage and backup

The Cluster has been supported by Open Source Industry Australia (OSIA), which represents over 150 open source businesses.

OSIA director Brendan Scott said that OSIA was pleased to see engagement between business and government and stated that "Open Source has so much to offer Government but at times it can be difficult for SMEs to engage. The formation of this cluster is ushering in what we hope to be a new level of engagement between open source businesses and government".

The Business Cluster can be contacted here: (02) 8197 9400

OSIA's contact numbers are:
* NSW: (02) 9037 0571
* VIC: (03) 9001 0971
* QLD: (07) 3123 4371