FREE and Open Source Software, an Enabler for Strategic Alignment through Tactical and Operational Factors: Open Source Software the Gateway to Information Technology Innovation

Free and open source software (FOSS) provides an immense opportunity to leverage the cost of information systems and technology implementation, maintenance, and management. Considering the prevailing circumstances as it relates to investments in information systems infrastructure, it becomes prudent, now more than ever, to assess the appropriateness of information systems costs and by extension, the returns of such investments. The cost of information systems and technology is ballooning out of control as the useful life of technology implementation becomes shorter as we advance into the new decades. Information systems and technology (IST) managers therefore have an obligation to seek out alternative source of technology innovation to keep their businesses operating at an optimal level.

The author originates from Jamaica in the West Indies. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree with majors in Accounting and Management Studies and a Master's of Science degree in Computer Based Management Information Systems, both from the University of the West Indies, Mona campus in Kingston, Jamaica. The author is currently pursuing doctoral studies in Organizational Leadership with specialization in Information Systems and Technology. The author is an Information Technology Manager and an Adjunct Lecturer in various information systems courses. The author achieved the Who's Who of Professionals recognition in 2001. In 2002, he was nominated a Mover and Shaker in the premier local daily newspaper. He is a full member of IEEE Computer Society and a member of the Jamaica Computer Society.