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KELTRON to advocate for open source

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CIOL Bureau
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THIRUVANTHAPURAM: In tune with the global trends, KELTRON, a public sector company, has initiated steps to set up a Resource Center for Free Software/Open Source Technologies in Thiruvananthapuram. This emerging technology offers cost effective and transparent solutions enabling the user to modify or alter the software without resorting to the original supplier.



The issue of security problems can also be avoided by taking into consideration the nature of data to be handled by the organizations. In appreciation of the initiatives being taken up by KELTRON in adoption of Free Software/Open Source technologies in the Government, World Bank had invited Ajay Kumar, Managing Director, KELTRON and Secretary (Industries) for a global meet on "Open Source- a case for e-Governance" held recently in the US for a presentation. In fact, the World Bank meet paved way for the full-fledged Open source/ Free Software Resource Center.



Five e-governance projects undertaken and implemented by KELTRON in the state are now running successfully with Free Software/Open Source. This includes the web-based Monitoring System for the Directorate of Industries and Commerce, Kerala Restructuring and Internal Audit Board, KSIDC and KINFRA, PSU Monitoring System, Plan Scheme Monitoring System, e-mail system for Secretariat, and Server Platform for KELTRON.



Besides this, the Plan Scheme Monitoring Systems, now being used by the Directorates of Coir Development, Handloom and Textiles, Mining and Geology are also using the Open Source/Free Software. The on-going government projects making use of this technology include the UNDP-assisted Malayalam Font development program taken up by K—BIP.



To popularize the emerging technology, KELTRON has started internal training for all of its engineers in IT area, on hardware as well as software aspects connected with Open Source/Free Software applications. This would enable the company to undertake the support and service requirements being thrown open in this area.



Development of advanced Open Source solutions is also envisaged by the company, for which a dedicated technical wing has already started functioning. A group of dedicated software engineers are already working on the Open Source/Free Software solutions in various fields.

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