Data Backup and archiving are two functions fundamental to company management.

Backup
The Backup provides for a copy of the original data to be placed separate from the location where it was created.
This provides protection from any possible failure or destruction of a hard drive.
This generally consists of a tape (DAT/DLT/...) or off-site copies (FTP/SAMBA...)
Backups are only useful for potentially restoring the data they contain.

Archiving
Archiving is used to preserve data over a long period.
Unlike backups, archived data is not intended to be used in case of a failure, but rather to be consulted at a later date.
Archived data is in fact obsolete data which must be preserved for historical purposes.
Here are some Open Source solutions which provide for these needs.

• Mondo Rescue

The UPS
One of the main causes of system downtime is electrical supply failure.
A secured electrical supply (UPS) can help to avoid the inconvenience of  an unforeseen power failure.
Several solutions which provide for the use of a UPS are available to Open source servers

• APC
• Merlin Gerin

High Availabilty (cluster).
Clusters and other techniques make it possible to increase the availability of a server, data, or a simple service.
This in turn makes it possible to “guarantee” that the users of a server will not have to waste their time waiting for a maintenance technician during a power failure, a hard drive failure or any other event.
This also allows for the reduction global system downtime from the viewpoint of the company’s clients.
There is noting more infuriating than losing clients due to the an outage on the web server hosting the ERP e-commerce application while a client is trying to place an order!In addition, in the context of this project, most of the services could be running on a single server, which would make it particularly strategic for the company.
Several Open Source solutions are available

• Kimberlite
• Heartbeat ·     
• SME Cluster (à inventer !)

The antivirus
This module makes it possible to ensure that

1. your server itself is protected against viral infection which could destroy your data.        
2. Your server will not host infected file which could later be distributed to your users.       
3. Your messaging server will not distribute emails infected by these viruses.   
4. Your protection will remain efficient despite the constant evolution of “nuisance technology”, through the automatic remote updates of your defense systems.

Several Open Source solutions are available.·

• ClamAV ·        
• Amavis-NG

Anti-Spam
This module checks email as it enters your server to make sure that it is not unsolicited commercial mail.
To this end:

1. It rejects connections with known SPAM emitting servers, on the basis of published blacklists
2. It also rejects email from poorly configured servers, which could unwittingly distribute SPAM.
3. It “grades” incoming mail on the basis of keywords which may be found in the message body or as a function of specific characteristics of the message envelope (header). The resulting “grade” enables the evaluation of the risqué that the email may be SPAM.
4. Depending on the configured options, it destroys, isolates in folders created for this purpose, or distributes the mail normally.
5. It keeps the black-lists , keyword lists etc up to date

Several Open Source solutions are available.

• SpamAssassin

Proxy / Content Filtering
Several Open Source solutions are available.

• SQUID
• DansGuardian ·    

The Management Console
Several Open Source solutions are available

• Nagios
• OpenNMS ·       
• MRTG

(c) Christian DUMONT (GLA) - 2004

Groupware
Resource Sharing in workgroups
Groupware is a set of tools which provide for information sharing between multiple users.
Included, one usually finds calendar, diary sharing and notes and memo.
One can sometimes finds shared whiteboard functionality enabling multiple users to work simultaneously on the same subject.
Here are some Open Source solutions which cater for these needs.

• More Groupware ·        
• OpenGroupware · 
• EGroupWare ·      

E-Commerce.
Electronic Business Site Management.
The establishment of a web site providing for on line sales is a solution sought by a growing number of Small and Medium Enterprises.
The system usually includes an online catalog, direct order taking, secure online payment and sometimes delivery tracking.
Several Open Source solutions are available·    

• OsCommerce ·      

WorkFlow
Process and work circuit management.
One could ask oneself whether workflow is a tool which complements groupware or an ERP, or whether it is a solution in its own right.
En fact, the need for this solution within the set of enterprise management tools is so often felt that certain independent solutions are now available.
Several Open Source solutions are available·        

• OpenFlow

The ERP
Integrate Enterprise Management System.
A company’s information system has for a long time been thought of as a set of unavoidable software such as sales, inventory, production and accounting management solutions…
An ERP is a software solution which integrates all the enterprise management tools from a functional viewpoint.
Several Open Source solutions are available·        

• Compiere ·      
• Value · 
• ERP5 ·    

CRM
Customer Relations Management.
CRM is a particularly complex subject, whether before, during or after the sales process.
This implies that under this title we find various tools as diverse as sales management, call centre, management, or Point of Sales (PoS) products … the cash register !
Several Open Source solutions are available·      

• Anteil ·        
• FreeMercator ·  
• Fisterra ·      
• l'AnePOS ·        

(c) Christian DUMONT (GLA)

 EAI/ETL
Application integration and data loading tools.
The EAI/ETL allow for the the integration withing the same company of diverse applications which do not “speak the same language”.
This veritable software “bus” becomes the interface between all these applications which were originally incompatible.
Here are some Open Source solutions which cater for this need.

EAI ·      

• IT.Gim ·        
• OpenEAI ·       
• Proteus ·       
• OpenAdaptor ·   
• Tibco OpenPGM

ETL ·     

• Octopus ·       
• Clover ETL

FAX
The network fax server allows the user to send faxes directly from his or her office or management application.
Several Open Source solutions are available

• Hylafax

PDF creation
The network PDF server allows the user to create a PDF file directly from his or her office or management application.
Several Open Source solutions are available·  

• PDF Lib ·       
• PDFCreator ·      

Internet Site creation
The internet site creation tool allows for the design and publication of a first website.
Several Open Source solutions are available· 

•   ... I’m working on it ! ;-)

Video surveillance
Possiblilty to monitor a shop, a warehouse, an entrance or a hall
Several Webcam based Open Source solutions are available·       

• In particular a little contribution at MasterSleepy

PABX
An automatic internal telephone exchange on a linux server permitting small and medium enterprises to access advanced telephonic functions at minimal cost.
Several Open Source solutions are available

• Asterix ·       
• Bayonne  

(c) Christian DUMONT (GLA) - 2004