Open Source Consulting Launches Operations

Open Source Consulting today announced the formal launch of business operations. The company first began in November on a test basis following a merger between Level Acuity and Precept Consulting. The new owners of Open Source Consulting are Philip Mikal and Tony Hansmann, the principals from the two former companies.

Open Source Consulting is one of only a handful of consulting companies focusing their services exclusively on Open Source technologies. The company further sets itself apart from the field with a business model in sync with current Open Source development trends.

“We aren’t creating yet-another set of Open Source applications for the enterprise,” Mikal said. “We have found that companies have already developed or implemented a solid set of applications based on Open Source, so our mission is to consult on these existing projects for which they need help. We can also work with companies to develop custom solutions or integrate proprietary tools with Open Source technologies.”

Open Source Consulting further sets itself apart by financing its operations internally rather than through venture capitalists. “We established a business structure much like that of a law firm - with partners and associates,” Hansmann said. “This creates an environment where talented, Open Source programmers can maintain their personal creativity but access resources that allow them to flourish in terms of running a profitable business.”

Technology consultants who become Open Source Consulting partners or associates receive the ability to team-up with other like-minded programmers, system/network administrators, and database administrators so that collectively they can consider taking on large enterprise projects. Partners and associates also benefit from Open Source Consulting’s provision of sales, invoicing, customer service and other back-office services that help run the business. The company also offers revenue sharing and benefits.

“Our model allows technology consultants to focus on what they do best,” Mikal said. “The model also gives them the flexibility to go after the types of projects they want. They can choose to focus on small individual projects, or they can collaborate with our other partners and associates on major projects. Either way, we help them succeed financially by providing all the support systems that any business needs to succeed.”

Since November, Open Source Consulting has contracted with five customers, including an industry-leading network infrastructure equipment manufacturer, a biotech firm and a credit union. The company now has five partners and associates with a business plan that calls for increasing to between 10-20 partners and associates within a year. “We also have our eye on expanding our office presence to New York as well as Europe and Australia,” said Vice President of Business Development Andy Larsen.

Specific services offered by Open Source Consulting include systems administration, programming, management consulting, database administration and network management. “Our offerings will continue to expand as we add new practice areas,” Mikal said.

About Open Source Consulting LLC
Open Source Consulting, based in San Francisco, focuses solely on providing programming and support for Open Source technologies. Funded internally rather than by venture capital sources, the company utilizes a unique business structure similar to a law firm that allows their consultants to maintain creative independence but receive the business and collaborative support they need to take-on large enterprise projects. For more information, visit www.opensourceconsulting.com or call (877) 490-6030.

For more information:
Jeff Pike for Open Source Consulting
e-mail protected from spam bots
(207) 839-6535

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