Re: [ossig] Business Model

[Dr Molly Cheah <drcheah@pc.jaring.my>]

> Windows-based applications  so I think there are avenues and opportunities
> for Linux consultants to make a living in this department, since if their
> clients can type a letter, do a spreadsheet, browse the Internet or access
> their e-mail what difference does it make to them whether their PC runs
> Linux, Solaris or Windows?
> 
I am planning to set up a centre in PJ to provide:

1) support and maintainance to GPs who are using our application
PrimaCare
2) pre-installed linux (with dual-boot if required) with Apache, php,
MySQL and PrimaCare with some freebies like OpenOffice thrown in.
3) run week-end courses on Linux and use of PrimaCare for GPs.

I need a pool of resources (part-time, consultancies etc) to do this. I
already have a contract with a company who trained our first batch of 50
GPs to train these trainers on PrimaCare. Terms, remuneration,
partnerships etc can be discussed, including full time for those who are
currently not gainfully employed. Some aspects of the plan will be very
flexible but others, like demo-ing a hospital system, customization etc
will be strictly on a partnership basis . (The WorldVistA team will be
involved in this for transfer of expertise to the Malaysian WorldVistA
Malaysia team)

I am currently identifying a pool of GPs to be trained as trainers as
well, particularly in the use of PrimaCare, update of medical content
etc and perhaps some aspects in the use of linux.

I am also appointing appropriate agents (companies or individuals) in
different locations in Malaysia (including Sabah and Sarawak) to support
GPs in their use of PrimaCare.

> Basically I think Malaysian business customers still prefer personalised
> help and this is an area open source consultants can address provided they
> don't charge the earth for their services.
> 

I agree with you entirely Charles, especially professionals like doctors
who have no time to go out to places like Imbi Plaza to source out help.
They would prefer to talk over the phone or get someone to come over to
their place if the problem cannot be solved over the phone.

> When I was customer service engineer with Rediffusion back in the 1980's I
> charged customers RM60 per hour, minimum two hours and I also signed them up
> for maintenance contracts at RM400 per year.
> 
> Perhaps that's too low to charge businesss today but that could be a
> reasonable rate for home visits.
> 

Perhaps there should be different support plans so that the more
tech-savvy users don't need to "subsidise" the others. But then, that's
the strength of "cross subsidy" and sense of community :)

If there is a lot of interest to help me organise the above, I'll call a
meeting and we can all brainstorm. I guess it'll be difficult for those
outside KL/PJ to attend the meeting. Can I also qualify that only those
who will have time on their hands and really interested need to
participate, because it would involve real commitment and time (could be
a few hours per week, but consistency is the requirement), plus the
possibility of making some money, otherwise credibility and reliability
will be compromised. :)

Rgds and best wishes for 2003,

Dr Molly



-- 
Dr Molly Cheah
Primary Care Doctors' Organisation Malaysia (PCDOM)
eMail: drcheah@pc.jaring.my
Web-site: http://pcdom.org.my
DAGS Project: http://pcdom.org.my/dags/
DAGS Pilot: http://pilot.pcdom.org.my

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