<html><body>Of interest to me at the moment is an upcoming BCS event on <br />Thursday 21st April, 6pm - 9pm. I want to go - it's at their London <br />office in WC2E - and I'll be very interested in whatever comes out.<br /><br />The topic is Open Source knowledge/skills gaps across HM <br />Government - Part 1: Business Intelligence Software.<br /><br />We are heavy users of BI in my company and my own manager is <br />heavily involved. I've just got into MS Reporting services and he's <br />about to get me trained up in MS SQL Server Integration Services <br />and cubes using SQL Server, Oracle and other databases. My <br />previous experience was limited to SQL Server 2000 DTS.<br /><br />I'd like to know the open source equivalents and how they weigh up.<br /><br />I'll repeat the debates here:<br /><br />1. What Business Intelligence (BI) Software is HMG using at the <br />moment (to the best knowledge of the panel and audience) and <br />what Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) could it be using <br />for BI? Are they better than non FOSS and can they do more for <br />less? What are the costs? Reliability? Security?<br /><br />2. What training/skills are required by HMG to use the FOSS BI<br />versions? Are there enough people out there with the skills? Are<br />Graduates equipped with the right training?<br /><br />3. What would be the ideal way of implementing FOSS BI across HMG?<br />For example through external Systems Integrators or direct use of HMG<br />staff?<br /><br />4. What specific barriers might exist in HMG to the adoption of FOSS BI?<br /><br />The event is free. Full details, map and booking form here:<br />http://ossg.bcs.org/2011/03/12/open-source-knowledgeskills-gaps-across-hm-government-part-1-business-intelligence-software-london-210411/<br /><br /><br />
Best Regards,<br />Fay<br />East Grinstead Linux User Group<br />www.eglug.org.uk<br /><br /></body></html>