Optaros Launches Open Source Practice Dedicated to Building Next Generation Internet Solutions

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Monday, June 12, 2006; 07:56 AM

Optaros Inc., an open source software consulting and integration firm, launched a Next Generation Internet (NGI) practice to help businesses build NGI platforms, leveraging open source software. The NGI practice group was created in response to the fundamental shift in how internet applications are utilized to achieve business objectives.

"In the last several years, we have seen businesses evolve their web presence from models where information is 'pushed' to readers into models based on community interaction. These Web 2.0 models allow companies to engage with their constituents beyond the simple business transaction," said Bob Gett, CEO of Optaros. "The Web has become a vital business and communication platform and Optaros has the experience and expertise necessary to utilize the Internet to help businesses build more meaningful relationships with their customers, partners, suppliers, and employees."

Open source software components have proven to be the most effective solutions available for enterprises to build a thriving NGI experience. The open source community has long focused on technologies that are distributed, interactive, flexible, and collaborative - prime attributes of NGI. By bringing together the community-based interactive model of Web 2.0, the rich interface experience provided by technologies like AJAX, and the agility provided by service-oriented architecture, enterprises are able to move from using the Web as only a distribution channel to the Internet as a core business platform for full engagement with their constituents.

Optaros provides enterprises with custom-designed NGI solutions that maximize the benefits of open source and deliver on the relevant business benefits. Optaros leverages its knowledge of open source components and its application assembly methodology to assemble NGI solutions that solve specific business problems in a "best-fit" solution approach.

As part of today's announcement, Optaros appointed John Eckman as Practice Director for the NGI practice. Eckman brings more than a decade of experience in designing and building web applications to Optaros. He has a wide range of experience from non-profit organizations to Fortune 500 companies in user experience design, presentation-tier development, and software engineering. Prior to Optaros, Eckman was Director of Development at PixelMEDIA, a web design and development firm in Portsmouth, NH, focused on e-commerce, content management, and intranet applications. Before PixelMEDIA, he spent six years with Molecular Inc of Watertown, MA developing custom Internet-based solutions for enterprise business problems.

Mr. Eckman will lead a team providing enterprises with the guidance to leverage NGI applications.

"NGI applications are changing the way enterprises conduct business and Optaros is well positioned to provide companies with trusted guidance and deep understanding of the new business environment," Eckman said. "I am excited to be joining a company with the vision and expertise to be in a leadership position with respect to open source and NGI."