Application of Open Source
Strategy on Mobile Web Server
Thesis presentation
09.05.2007
Author:
Supervisor:
Instructor:
Carlo Vainio
Professor Heikki Hämmäinen
M.Sc. Risto Aho, Nokia Multimedia
Contents
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Introduction
Problem Definition & Research Methods
Critical Success Factors
Open Source as Strategy for MWS
Open Source Development Framework
Further Work
Introduction
 Mobile Web Server (MWS)
– Apache web server ported to the S60 platform
– The mobile device reachable from the Internet
– New ways to deliver value to the customer, e.g.
 Mobile web site
 Web user interface (UI) to the phone
 Applications
 Open Source Software (OSS)
– right to use, modify, and redistribute the software
– OSS as business strategy
 Critical Success Factors (CSF)
– Definition: “The limited number of areas in which results, if they are satisfactory, will
ensure successful competitive performance for the organization. They are the few
key areas where things must go right for the business to flourish. If results in these
areas are not adequate, the organization's efforts for the period will be less than
desired”. [Rockart 1979]
Problem Definition & Research
Methods
 Problem definition
– Identify the Critical Success Factors (CSF) of MWS
– In light of the CSFs, is Open Source a good approach
for MWS?
– If so, how is this strategy effectively implemented?
 Research methods
– Interviews
– Literature study
Critical Success Factors
CSF
Motivation
Implication
Use cases
This is a gray area. It is not possible to
define all the relevant use cases inhouse. Killer application unknown.
Need for market orientation
and customer focus to identify
the killer applications and get
the concept right.
Technical issues
Technical issues, e.g. battery
consumption and billing, have to be
overcome before the concept is ready
for the mass market.
Technical development needed
Awareness
generation and
diffusion
Need to diffuse the innovation in related
communities in order to increase the
installed base.
Need to seek and exploit the
right communities.
Third party
application
development
Due to the long tail characteristics
present, third party application
development may become crucial for the
future of MWS
Need to attract outside
developers and system
integrators in order to form a
collaborative development
ecosystem.
Open Source as Strategy for MWS
Critical issues for
MWS
Solution provided by the OS strategy
Use cases and market
uncertainty
Involvement of developers and lead users in the development
process reduces uncertainty. The extreme form of openness
inherently promotes standard creation and thus reduces
uncertainty.
Awareness generation
The awareness and marketing goals may be achieved by
nurturing a healthy community, which will gain broad attention
and create "buzz" in the communities. Openness promotes
positive feedback, which increases the installed base.
Third party involvement
By providing open platforms and interfaces, the open source
strategy encourages third party involvement and integrator
support
Technical issues
The different components of the software stack may be
improved. Overcoming technical obstacles not related to the
software may not be achieved
OS Development Framework
Initial offering
- User need
- Appeal & future promise
- Mission
- Initial code
- License
- Credibility
- Name
- Appearance
- Timing
Infrastructure
- Project web site
- Public code archive
- Project documentation
- Bug database
- Mailing lists
- Forums
- FAQs
- Newsgroups
- Direction and roadmaps
- Authority
- Credibility
- Trust
- Leadership style
- Skills
- Motivation
- Vision
- Government structures
- Division of labor
- Decision making
- Development
processes
- Marketing
- Managerial and
leadership issues
- Trust building
- First encounter
Pre-requests
Leadership
The bazaar
Governance and
management
Building
community
Further Work
Further Work
– Research on success factors related to open
source software development
– Further refine and test the framework presented
Questions?
Thank you!!!