The aim of TOF-e is to offer a framework for the industry that will allow more confidence and commercial clarity of the whole Open Source process, thereby providing open, competitive choice for the end user.

 
The framework of services and tools offered by TOF-e will assist SMEs, Enterprises and the Public Sector in the pragmatic adoption and support of OSS by intermediating between business users and the OSS developers, integrators and support community across Europe.

 
TOF-e is a commercial electronic intermediary which acts as a broker between the user and the supplier, both of which may well be SMEs with limited local support  and skills capability. TOF-e will provide both a market place within which  business can be transacted, and the value add services that support the needs of both user and supplier. In addition to a full portfolio of information provision, including news digest, case studies, discussion  forums etc, the portal will concentrate on ensuring both the visibility of solution suppliers and an accreditation scheme under which they will be promoted.

 
Key to success of TOF-e is that it will be delivered via a network of local community portals (each with its own branding and specific information) addressing the needs of either a local community (regional, national) or industry. TOF-e will concentrate on providing the open contract standards, consistency of approach, common  core functionality and content, whereas the partner will provide local initiative, skill and content.

The Open Forum Europe (TOF-e) represents the specific market validation phase of the project to rollout TOF-e across Europe.

Open Source Software represents a new business model for the ICT market, which has the potential to be of significance second only to the internet itself. It offers the opportunity to bring increased choice and competition into the market and change the value proposition for users and suppliers.

In Europe there is perceived to be substantial opportunity to create new ICT opportunity for SMEs, and for the creation of a new ICT market, particularly in new Member States. However, independent research, including that undertaken by OpenForum Europe (OFE) has observed that a number of inhibitors to success remain. Key amongst these is current lack of a comprehensive, yet locally available, access to advice and guidance; perceived lack of skills both within the user and with support partners.

 
The TOF-e community portal will specifically provide:

 
·        Access to proven case studies

·        Product/application availability and validation

·        Catalyst for inter –intermediary support contracts

·        Directory of accredited service providers/consortia/training

·        Accreditation schemes for suppliers and users

·        ‘Ask an Expert’ help forum

·        News digest

·        Business level, proctored ‘discussion forum’

·        White Papers on a range of key business issues

·        Specific services such as online training and education

Key to success of TOF-e is that it will be delivered via a network of local community portals (each with its own specific information) addressing the needs of either a local community (regional, national) or industry. This approach enables accurate targeting of information and resources to the individual and pinpoint targeting of marketing, advertising and sponsorship to the service providers anywhere in Europe.

 
TOF-e will concentrate on providing open contract and accreditation standards, consistency of approach, common core functionality and content, whereas the partner will provide local initiative, skills and content. Wherever possible, TOF-e will adopt and implement Open Standards.

 
TOF-e will allow full and free access to all information (in line with the OSS culture). Its commercial business model is built on  sponsorship of individual pages, click through links to product providers, registrations, and commission on services revenues.

 
Local community portal providers within the market validation phase of this project come from within commercial members of TOF-e’s national partner organisations in Denmark, Ireland and OpenAdvantage in the UK. The national partner organisations are commercial companies who themselves are 'pure play' OSS service providers. The organisations they 'represent' will provide natural first phase membership for market validation of their community portals, and via them early test customer sites for feedback on the deliverables.

Open Source Suppliers (UK) – TOF-e will work with Open Advantage West Midlands and WMITA an organisation representing the West Midlands IT suppliers and OSS service providers.

 
Open Ireland (Ireland) – represented by OpenApp and Sybernet

OSL (Denmark) – represented by Magenta, PKF and Catpipe

OpenForum Europe (OFE) is the business leader for the consortium, and due to its independence and member support from the key influencers in the market is uniquely placed to deliver a long term, sustainable solution.