Open Source Software Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Open Source Software - Research Paper Example A group of people suggested the replacement of the term free software with the term open source software (OSS) in the year 1998 because the latter was more convenient and less vague for the corporate world as compared to the former. The benefit of publishing a software with the license of an open source software is that it allows everybody to understand the way the software functions and in turn, develop a similar software. The open source software offers much more flexibility as compared to other kinds of software in that the users can modify the open source software, port the software to the processor architects, advertise the software, market it, and share it with other users. The Open Source Initiative publishes a document titled â€Å"The Open Source Definition† which defines the criteria for the labeling of a software license as the open source, so that the software may acquire the certification mark of open source. There is an open source philosophy ingrained in the ope n source definition. It defines several aspects of the open source software that include but are not limited to the terms of usage, terms of modification, as well as the principles of redistribution of the software. Numerous licenses of open source software are included in the Open Source Definition. An example of these licenses is the GNU General Public License (GPL) that grants the users the right to distribute the software freely provided that any modifications and developments are included in the same license.  ... â€Å"The license may restrict source-code from being distributed in modified form only if the license allows the distribution of "patch files" with the source code for the purpose of modifying the program at build time† (opensource.org, n.d.). With the open source distribution, a product’s source code becomes accessible to the public whereas such access can be fine tuned by the authors using the open source licenses. Classification of OSS The OSS can be broadly classified into three main types namely Vendor OSS, Community OSS, and Hybrid OSS. Vendor OSS The Vendor OSS is also known as Community based OSS. This is a type of OSS that is mainly made and produced by a company. In a vast majority of cases, the vendor of this software develops a product’s version that exists in a community edition and can be downloaded free of cost. There is no support with the community edition and its functionality is lesser than that of the commercial version, that is also known as the Enterprise version or the Professional version. The examples of Vendor OSS include but are not limited to Jaspersoft, BonitaSoft, SugarCRM, Inforbright, and Talend. â€Å"Talend's data integration solutions provide a powerful set of tools to meet any integration requirement, from basic transformations to the most complex operational integration issues, data migration & capture, as well as data replication, synchronization and application upgrades† (Talend, 2012). Community Based OSS As the name implies, there is a community of people that develops and manages the Community Based OSS. In most of the cases, the software is developed by a group of people in the community, that can be joined by anyone. The examples of this type of software include Netscape, GNU Compiler Collection, and

Walmart's retail link system Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Walmart's retail link system - Essay Example Organizations will use various tools including technological tools to make this process effective, and one among them, which is being commonly used now, is RFID. Understanding their benefits, many well known organizations Harley Davidson, Walmart, etc., are incorporating RFID as part of their SCM, and are getting good results. When one particularly focuses on the RFID usage in Walmart, it is clear that it has been improving its operations, although some privacy concerns are raised against it. System of RFID RFID (short for Radio Frequency Identification) is electronics and Information technology (IT) based tool, which helps organizations to trace their finished products as well as the raw materials needed for making those products in the supply chain. Basic RFID system is made up of three components, a transponder (RF tag) electronically programmed with unique information, an antenna or Reader and a computer or a transceiver (with decoder). RFID works on the concept of invisible radi o waves, emitted by the microchip, which are attached to the consignment of raw materials and products, or even individual products of a particular company including retail company, which are being transported. Then, by using the reader or the antenna, which will detect the invisible radio waves, the position of the consignment or the product can be tracked. Also, the reader decodes the data encoded in the tag's integrated circuit (silicon chip) and then the data is passed to the host computer for processing and retrieval or transfer of the information. (â€Å"Technologies†). This can be used by the retail companies to track both the products and the raw materials being received from the suppliers, as well as the finished products, which are being transported to the supplier or distributor and the eventual customer. In addition RFID can also be used by retail companies as part of their operational processes. Inside manufacturing or assembly units or even storing unit, RFID re ader can identify individual materials, fitted with the RFID tag, and then route them to the relevant sections of those units. RFID in Walmart Walmart, one of the largest retailers, incorporated RFID tags as part of its operations in 2005, when it asked its suppliers to adopt this tool. The main reason for this decision is, it wanted its suppliers to know when the finished goods have arrived at the backdoor of the stores, thereby allowing them to make the plans. Plans in the sense, where to put or route those products, ranging from distribution centers, shop floor to the intended customers. â€Å"The roll-out started in 2005 with a couple of hundred suppliers tagging cases being sent to 2 or 3 WalMart distribution centers in Texas† (â€Å"RFID News†). Schwartz pointed out another application of RFID in Wal-Mart, â€Å"In addition, another RFID tag placed at the entrance to the sales floor will tell the supplier, what is on the sales floor and what is left in the backr oom.† This was expected to aid the suppliers by giving them a good read of their inventory figures, along with sales velocity. However, suppliers opposed this initiative due to issues like installation and maintenance costs (which were put on them by Walmart), ROI (Return of Investment), etc. Such opposition led to problematic implementation of RFID, but Walmart does not want to let go RFID. They wanted to optimally use it and so in 2010, they decided to incorporate it in its 3,000 stores in men's apparel area. â€Å"These are little radio frequency ID RFID tags that are attached to the apparel that allow us to—