Open Source Enables a Robust eCommerce site for DoctarVAR.com
Publishing and consulting firm Write Solutions wanted to launch an e-commerce website to help computer value added resellers improve their business ?from scratch - all for under $5,000. The site had been built previously using custom software, but hackers had destroyed the site and databases and with it most of the company's cash reserves. Unfortunately, the original developer neglected to backup the site, and so an entirely new site had to be built. Write Solutions turned to Scott Kroeger of Hudson Avenue Technologies to build the new site. After discussing desires, needs, and requirements, Scott determined that DoctarVAR.com needed a Content Management System (CMS). Given the budget, he suggested researching available open source alternatives. He found and customized a version of PostNuke's CMS, including the Content Express module ?a user-friendly website admin interface - as well as modules for an ezine, forums, classifieds, a shopping cart, and banner ads. Within two months, the site was up and running, under budget, and without sacrificing any functionality or options. The total amount spent in software was $99 for two of the modules; the rest were free. Read more >>

Saugus Union School District Saves with Open Source
As part of a complete network overhaul, the Saugus Union School district saved big switching from Novell Netware servers to Red Hat Linux. The overall goal of the project was to implement a centralized voice, video, and data network. The server migration went smoothly because the other vendor products used in the system already supported linux. In addition, because Novell is supporting linux, they were able to keep their GroupWise email system, despite replacing the Novell Netware servers with the Red Hat servers. The switch to Red Hat Linux cut server maintenance costs by $50,000 annually - $50 per server per year with Red Hat vs. $1000 per server per year with Novell. While not a complete open source solution, the project demonstrates how open source and proprietary solutions can work together to realize both technical and financial goals. Read more >>

TicketMaster Chooses Red Hat Linux and StrongMail Systems
Ticketmaster is the world's leading ticketing company, selling more than 98 million tickets and serving more than 9,000 venues, promoter, sports teams, and event clients worldwide in 2004. Like any other large business, Ticketmaster and their clients were suffering from email delivery problems and losses in marketing and productivity resulting from aggressive spam. Ticketmaster planned to release a new email marketing tool for its clients, and wanted to revamp it using new, cutting edge technologies in an attempt to eliminate some of those issues. They had considered developing their own customized code to meet their very specific needs, but soon realized that starting from scratch would be incredibly time consuming. Ticketmaster instead opted to use Red Hat Enterprise Linux and StrongMail Enterprise as a foundation, customized it to fit their needs, and was able to launch their new marketing application three months ahead of schedule, and significantly below projected cost. Read More >>

Burlington Coat Factory Chooses Novell SUSE Linux
Burlington Coat Factory is a large national retail chain with 341 stores in 42 states nationwide. The company had been running on Linux for years, needed to replace its aging servers that were becoming difficult to integrate, update, and manage. Burlington was also dissatisfied with customer support from its existing Linux provider. Needing a large-scale solution that could host and support large numbers of databases a well as up to 350 storage devices, Burlington looked at Microsoft Windows, as well as other UNIX alternatives, but wanted a unique, flexible system that wouldn't be tied to a single software or hardware vendor. After determining their requirements, Burlington looked to find a solution that would fit their desired system architecture and allow for easy upgrades. Taking a recommendation from another provider, they chose Novell's SUSE?LINUX Enterprise Server. The benefits Burlington reports include: lower-cost clustered servers, IT administration savings, increased stability, virus protection, and the ability to make large-scale changes without any downtime. Overall, running SUSE LINUX has reduced Burlington's hardware costs tenfold while at the same time creating a more reliable infrastructure. Read More >>

The next section provides a directory of vendors and applications where you can learn more about available open source solutions. Read on >>