Slashdot: Open Source Growing At an Exponential Rate

Full Article: http://developers.slashdot.org/story/08/03/14/0419252/open-source-growing-at-an-exponential-rate

"Two computer scientists who work for enterprise software giant SAP have shown that open source is growing at an exponential rate. Not only is the code base growing exponentially, but also the number of viable projects. Researchers Amit Deshpande and Dirk Riehle analyzed the database of open source startup ohloh.net and looked at the last 16 years of growth in open source. They consistently got the best fit for the data using an exponential model. Relating this to open source market revenue, Desphande and Riehle conclude that open source is eating into closed source at a non-trivial pace."

Slashdot: Open Source Growing At an Exponential Rate

Full Article: http://developers.slashdot.org/story/08/03/14/0419252/open-source-growing-at-an-exponential-rate

"Two computer scientists who work for enterprise software giant SAP have shown that open source is growing at an exponential rate. Not only is the code base growing exponentially, but also the number of viable projects. Researchers Amit Deshpande and Dirk Riehle analyzed the database of open source startup ohloh.net and looked at the last 16 years of growth in open source. They consistently got the best fit for the data using an exponential model. Relating this to open source market revenue, Desphande and Riehle conclude that open source is eating into closed source at a non-trivial pace."

Machine Monitoring using Cloud Computing Technology

Machine monitoring applications using the MTConnect protocol will be displayed in the Emerging Technology Center at the upcoming IMTS 2010 show. Participant will be able to access live data feed from the different OEM machines using a touch screen interface.


The two applications demonstrated under smart machine program are Shoptalk and Vimana. Shoptalk will demonstrate the legacy machine connectivity and monitoring using the power sensor technology. Basic information like the cycle state (off, idle, in-cycle) can be successfully extracted in real-time using the power sensor technology coupled with the MTConnect protocol. The Vimana application will demonstrate the cost effective use of cloud computing to monitor machine tools in real-time. The application uses complex event processing (CEP) to automatically find the root cause of a down time or quality event.


Shoptalk
• Best for smaller shops with a mix of new and legacy machines
• Basic, real-time data
• Comprehensive view of shop floor
• Modularity enables add-ons for more data capture as you grow

Vimana
• Comprehensive solution to analyze and improve total production efficiency
• Uncovers the reasons behind production losses and inefficiencies
• Available as a SaaS and as onsite deployment to suit large and small machine shops

Gandhian Innovation

In this must-read article Innovation’s Holy Grail by Prahalad and Mashelkar, the authors state that the next generation innovation will be driven by affordability and sustainability, not premium pricing and abundance. The authors call the new innovation model as Gandhian Innovation because at the core of it lies the two Mahatma Gandhi’s tenets:
- “I would prize every invention of science made for the benefit of all”
- “Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s need, but not every man’s greed”

Fig: Innovation in India using Gandhian Model (Reference: Innovation’s Holy Grail)

Three kinds on Gandhian innovations
1. Disruptive business models using the low cost labor
2. Synthesizing several existing technologies and modifying organizational capabilities to offer new value added products
3. Developing and/or acquiring new capabilities to solve technical hurdles which require technology development or a collaborative approach

Rules for Gandhian Innovation
1. Deep commitment to serving the unserved
2. Unambiguous vision
3. Ambitious goals to foster an entrepreneurial spirit
4. Accept that constraints will always exist, and creatively operate within them
5. Focus on people, not just shareholder wealth and profits

Reference: For more information read “Innovation’s Holy Grail”, C.K. Prahalad and R.A. Mashelkar, Harvard Business Review, July-August 2010.