Enterprise integrator launches open source solution

Systems integrator, Object Consulting, has struck an enterprise software partnership with open source vendor, Ingres.

According to Object COO, Julian Edwards, the two companies first began speaking around 10-12 months ago before sealing the deal three months ago.

Although the vendor had other partners in the region, Edwards claimed none were as large as the system integrator.

“Our heritage and the space that we operate in, being a sort of tier-two systems integrator, was a good match for what they were looking for,” he said. “They were looking for a quality partner in this part of the world.”

Edwards said the first results of the partnership were ready for sale and distribution.

“We’re pushing an enterprise content management business solution and that’s ready to go in NSW as we speak. The primary people interested at this stage might be the tier-two organisations,” he said.

“It could be across any sector. The reason why that market is interested is because of the general benefits that open source solutions give them, which is that lower cost of entry. They’re not paying those up-front licence fees.

“They can do a smaller project and then grow from there as they use it.”

Edwards recognised some companies would have trouble with the concept of paying continuous fees for technical support.

“The issue with open source is you certainly – at an enterprise-level – pay for support. But you have the option of not paying. If you want to take the risk of using an enterprise-grade without support, there are customers that do that,” he said.

“It gives flexibility to the business decisions that the customer wants to make.”