The Open Source Software Seminar 2003

Speakers in order of appearance

Ted is a key contributor to Forrester's research on software infrastructure and its impact on business strategy. He currently focuses on Web services and service-oriented architecture, and on the role of Java, Linux, and Microsoft in the enterprise. Ted also plays a leadership role in Forrester's research into the software industry.

Ted has a master's degree in management from the MIT Sloan School of Management. He also holds an M.S. in computer science from the University of Maryland and a B.A. in physics from Swarthmore College.

Open Source Strategy
 

Mary Ann Fisher is IBM’s Linux Program Director for worldwide Public Sector. In this role Mary Ann works with Governments, Healthcare and Life Sciences organizations and Universities around the world to integrate Linux and Open Source Software into enterprise IT strategies.

Mary Ann is also responsible for IBM’s Linux investment strategy for the Public Sector. This strategy includes Product Directions and Enhancements, Solutions Development, Certifications, Sales Initiatives, Go to Market Initiatives and Business Partner Relations. Prior to this position, she spent ten years in management with IBM’s US Federal Government Business Unit.

Mary Ann holds a Masters in Business Administration from Loyola College and serves on the Board of her local Hospice organization.

Brett Roberts is Competitive Strategy Manager for Microsoft New Zealand and is responsible for coordinating Microsoft NZ’s competitive activities across a wide variety of customer segments and technologies. 

Brett holds a Diploma in Business (Information Systems) from the University of Auckland.

Open Source Software - the Microsoft’s guy’s perspective
 

Stuart has over 15 years experience in IT across the government, financial services and utility sectors, in a variety of software development, operational and architectural roles. Stuart is currently the Technology Architecture Manager at NZ Post, responsible for determining enterprise architecture for the Post parent and its associated subsidiary companies. 

While at Post, and previously at Meridian Energy, Stuart has investigated the suitability of Linux and other open-source offerings, as components of enterprise-level solutions. While each case has unique considerations, there are a number of generally applicable principles and observations that can be drawn from his experience, upon which a framework for the decision of open-source vs. proprietary software can be based.

Linux v. Windows
 

Based in Sydney, Duncan Bennet is the Director, Linux Products at Sun Microsystems Australia/New Zealand.

Duncan is responsible for the development and implementation of Sun's open source product strategy in the Australian and New Zealand market. As such, Duncan is actively involved with Sun staff, customers, channel partners and the broader Open Source community.

Prior to his current position, Duncan was Managing Director, Sun ONE Products (previously known as iPlanet and the Sun/Netscape Alliance). During that time Duncan oversaw the merging of Forte Software into iPlanet and the subsequent merging of that combined software organisation into the mainstream Sun organisation. He joined Sun in October 1999 following the acquisition of Forte Software Incorporated, the recognised market leader in high end distributed computing development tools.

Broadening and deepening the Open Source debate
 

Gordon Hubbard is Managing Director at Custom Technology Australia Pty Ltd. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of AUUG Inc. (Australian UNIX and Open Systems User Group) where he holds the office of Treasurer and is chairman of the "Open Computing for Government" (OCG) board subcommittee. He was a contributing author to the "Revised Edition Linux Pocket Book" (featuring OpenLinux and Red Hat Linux) with the first edition published by ACP Publishing in September 1999 and the second edition published January 2000.

Gordon graduated from the New South Wales Institute of Technology (now known as the University of Technology, Sydney, Australia) with a Bachelor of Engineering with First Class Honours.

Strategic Benefits of Open Source Software in the Public Sector
 

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