Claiming to be the first local software publisher to take such a step, Pink Software has released a version of its TurboCASH accounting package for free download on the Internet.
Pink Software says the move makes it the world`s leading open source accounting program, with at least 15 000 users.
TurboCASH.7 can be downloaded from the Internet or installed from 15 000 CDs to be given away with the latest issue of .Net software magazine.
Pink Software MD Philip Copeman says the open source offering has had a take-up of nearly 3 000 systems in the past five weeks.
Copeman says he has spent several years on developing the latest release of TurboCASH, which he sees as an advanced accounting offering. After following the growth of the open source movement with interest, he decided to release an open source version of his company`s latest software in a bid to give smaller businesses access to good quality software.
Copeman believes the timing is right as internationally small businesses are tired of constantly escalating licensing fees and exorbitant upgrades.
"My aim is to get decent software to the thousands of emerging entrepreneurs that are poised to break into the small business scene in SA," Copeman says. "Anyone with the ability to use a computer, coupled with rudimentary knowledge of accounting, can download the program from the Internet. Owners of new companies in SA might not have these skills but their bookkeepers certainly will. And it is free to them as well."
Copeman insists that the new version of TurboCASH is completely free. "The program is now published under the General Public Licence, and that guarantees that it will always be free. Users can copy it, and hand it onto to friends, or download it. The only stipulation is that upgrades made to the program are also available free. But I concede that it will be difficult to manage," he says.
"There are questions about whether we are giving away old technology, in an effort to lure in the unwary and then hit them with upgrade costs," Copeman says. "When we upgrade TurboCASH.7, that too, will be free. For many years I have been toying with the idea of giving away the software and making my returns on consulting, training, support contracts, product add-ons and consumables. The success of overseas companies that have gone the free route finally persuaded me to act."
Copeman says the company has distributed the software in the UK too, and is targeting the US, Australia and Brazil next.
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