Open source firms battle for market

The big news from the GSMA Mobile World Congress is that new phones using the Android, LiMo and Symbian open source operating systems are rolling out in 2009, reports The Press Association.

However, it is not the handsets themselves that are creating the buzz so much as what is under the hood and invisible to the user, the basic software. Lines are being drawn in the battle for dominance among the three main systems.

Vodafone said it will release the HTC Magic, a new touch-screen handset based on Google's Android operating system, in Britain, Spain, Germany and Italy this spring. More Android announcements are expected with both Sony Ericsson and Samsung repeating their intention in Barcelona to come out with Android-operated phones.

Zarafa 6.2 will support RIM's BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES), Windows Mobile, Symbian smartphones, and Apple's iPhone, says InformationWeek.

The developer of collaboration software says it is adding native support for the BES to its Linux-based e-mail and calendaring server. Zarafa's server already contains support for several other Microsoft and open source products, including Outlook, SugarCRM, OpenERP, and Alfresco.

"It connects to BES just as Exchange does, with no need to install anything on the phone itself," said Zarafa CEO, Brian Joseph.

A recent survey by IDG of IT professionals showed that nearly two-thirds were using open source software or planned to within the next year, reports Contractor UK.

The benefits to the enterprise are many: Lower costs, relief on over-extended development resources, access to cutting-edge technology, freedom from vendor development schedules, open standards and rapid deployment.

However, companies can also get more than they bargained for when they choose open source software. Security vulnerabilities in open source could mean that companies are opening their doors to viruses, software exploits and other problems that could adversely affect their businesses, users and customers.