What Type of services do you offer:  BTM Software Solutions offers Business Analysis, Systems Integration and xForms development services. The Business Analyst we will sit with operational level staff and key stakeholders to learn about your current 'As-Is' business process and model the 'To-Be' business process.  The systems integrator will take that business model and integrate legacy systems, databases, web services, and other technical solutions to deliver the end product. The xFforms developer will design web forms that can be used within the business application or as stand alone web forms for colleting information you may be capturing in paper format but offer no advantages for data analysis or reports.

What Open Source Software Products does BTM Software Solutions offer:  BTM Software Solutions works with several open source technologies including but not limited to Intalio, Orbeon xForms, Apache Tomcat server, eXist XML Database, MySQL Database, and Apache DS LDAP.  Please see our 'Informational Links' page for information on these and other open source initiatives.  Please keep in mind that we integrate with existing systems, for example, MS SQL, Oracle, .NET and CRM applications to name a few.

What advantages does open source software offer: Open Source software has been evaluated on a number of levels including:

• Lower total cost of ownership
• Reduced dependence on software vendors
• Easier to customize
• Higher level of security

Most IT departments rank reduced dependence on software vendors as the major reason to use open source software.  Modifications of the code, interoperability with other products and the ability to maintain the system in house are also potential benefits. 

Lower cost of ownership may occur depending on the size of the project and resources available.  Some open-source products are totally free, and others have versions - Community Edition (CE) and Enterprise Edition (EE).  The CE is offered at no cost but usually does not have all the features of the EE.  In addition, the CE does not offer any maintenance or support from the developer.  Any support usually comes from communtiy forums by those using the CE product.  Do not discount the use of the CE versions.  Depending on your requirements, that is all you may need.  If your requirements change as the services delievered grow, you can always upgrade to the EE.  The EE offers maintenance and support but at a cost.  Usually the several plans our offered ranging from Silver, Gold, Platinum palns each varying the type of support provided.  Finally, if you do not have in house resources that are knowledgeable on the product, outside consultants like BTM Software Solutions deploy and develop the solutions which costs funds.  So although their is no proprietary software purchases, there still may be costs associated with ope source software.