Squiz & Open Source

In September 2007 Gartner (the world's leading information technology research and advisory company) said "You can try to avoid open source, but it's probably easier to get out of the IT business altogether". By 2011, at least 80% of commercial software will contain significant amounts of open source code, according to Gartner.

Squiz is Australia's largest open source software developer and offers MySource Matrix under two licensing models - the open source GNU General Public License (GPL) or the Squiz Supported Version (SSV). Squiz's open source strategy is based on free distribution of the product, and free access to its source code. This version of the product is available under a GPL 2 licence.

The development roadmap for MySource Matrix is maintained centrally by Squiz, and at the same time open contributions to the product core are encouraged and managed via Squiz's own, strict development standards and processes. This provides many benefits for users of MySource Matrix, including:

• The ability to control spending by aquiring MySource Matrix at zero cost
• Superior, commercial-class product documentation and support resources
• A controlled, proven and well documented product roadmap (which is now over eight years old)
• Total control over the speed (and type) of MySource Matrix-based development
• The ability to quickly take advantage of market-driven innovation around MySource Matrix, by gaining free access to the new modules and software assets that are developed by the wider user community

Squiz, meanwhile, is a professional services business that provides commercial support services to MySource Matrix users, provided under the Squiz Supported version licence (SSV). Because MySource Matrix is open source, there are a number of important benefits for companies that choose to work with Squiz as their services and support partner, including:

• The ability to control 'vendor dependancies' through an in-built freedom to choose service partners - because MySource Matrix is open source, it is supported by thousands of developers and hundreds of service companies worldwide. Importantly, users remain in control and are never locked in to a service and support relationship with Squiz.
• The knowledge that the quality of Squiz's services offering will always be driven positively by external market forces - because distribution of MySource Matrix is open this encourages competition amongst service providers, and Squiz's objective is always be the most complete and competitive service and support option for the product.
• Access to the implementation and development expertise gleaned from thousands of MySource Matrix engagements worldwide - via a range of deployments at world-leading organisations such as the Australian Federal Government, Future Publishing, Oxford University, Warner Music, and the UK National Health Service.