MIS for microfinance — OpenWorldForum

FLOSS MIS for Microfinance

Discover how business oriented open source systems require a specific approach for success. Beyond technical components, check out how to successfully implement business oriented FLOSS.

2nd OCTOBER 2009 - 11.00-12.30 - EUROSITES GEORGE V, PARIS

FLOSS have gained strong momentum on technical components: Operating Systems, Web & application servers, databases, frameworks, development tools … After being followers of closed solutions, they now lead the game and innovations come faster from Linux, Firefox, Maven or Eclipse than from proprietary solutions. This momentum is not yet a reality for business oriented components. ERP or CRM struggle to gain wide acceptance (Apache OFBiz, SugarCRM, ..) , and do not innovate faster than proprietary packages yet (SAP, Oracle, Microsoft ..) or Cloud Solutions (SalesForce …). How to change this? How the traditional attributes of open source, adoption led and community-driven innovation, have not made a big difference? In this session you will learn how to create a continuous improvement dynamic inside a MicroFinance Institution (lean management) and how to build systems that are as easy to use as to contribute to (such as with Wikipedia)... This experience is transposable to any other business. An immersive workshop will be proposed to the attendees.

09.00-10.30

OPEN WORLD FORUM OPENING KEYNOTES: with Karel De Vriendt, Alix Cazenave, Mark Shuttleworth, etc.

11.00-11.45

Business Open Source from the micro finance sector perspective

Vincent Biot, Oxus Development Network Pierre Pezziardi , Octopus Microfinance

Some micro finance context: how end-users perceive ICT and MIS, attractiveness & repulsion, image of Open Source, limitations

Lessons learned (from the field and from the cloud) to involve contributors. How to attract both technical and business talents? How to be ahead of proprietary business packages? How to mix Open Source, the Cloud DNA, and Lean Management techniques to run an effective business community?

11.50-12.30

Perspectives and Open discussion with the audience

Related materials: Université du Système d’Information, Convivial Computing 40’ Podcast

12.30-14.00

Cocktail-Lunch and networking