Open Source

Due to increased market turbulence, firms not only are faced with the decision to use open source software, but also consider releasing their proprietary software under an open source license. Beside the appropriateness as an open source product this raises the question of how to profit from giving something away which then is available for free. This article contributes to this discussion by addressing possible open source business models with regard to the type of software.

Dynamics and complexity of today`s production systems bring established approaches for production planning and control to their limits. Accordingly, developing new concepts and methods is a key point for research in this area. The combination of a decentralized control structure and innovative methods from the field of artificial intelligence seems promising here. Open source tools have proven their applicability to implement those methods. They are disposable and can be flexibly adapted to many problems. This contribution introduces an approach for the decentralized control of a shop floor. Here, artificial neuronal networks are used as adaptive control instruments. The simulation of these networks is performed with the open source tool Stuttgart Neural Network Simulator (SNNS) and its successor Java Neural Network Simulator (JNNS).

More and more companies use open source software for planning and control of their business processes. The article describes advantages and disadvantages of open source ERP solutions. Additional tables show technical aspects of today’s open source ERP solutions.

A new business model, conceived by WZL of the University of Aachen, bases on Open Source development and advances Outsourcing. Commercial Open Source Development (COSD) has the capability to break open the area of conflict between customer orientation, individualisation, product design costs and error probability by embedding the customer systematically and lucratively into product development. Two trends of product design support COSD: Functions of technical products can be increasingly affected through Software solutions; Open Source principals have reached a high level of maturity.