Syntec Numérique’s first Open Source General Assembly on January 21, 2013 a success

Paris, January 25, 2013 – The entire open source and free software ecosystem came together for the first time, under the aegis of Syntec Numérique, to reflect and exchange views on the major challenges it faces. Opening the meeting, Fleur Pellerin, French Minister for SMEs, Innovation and the Digital Economy, reiterated the vision she and the government have for the sector: “France is fortunate to have a particularly dynamic ecosystem in this sector. But much remains to be done. If Open Source is to make an effective contribution to the modernization of public action and the competitiveness of our economy, we need to make an effort to structure the industry.

While welcoming the fact that Syntec Numérique and the two co-presidents of its Open Source Committee, Michel Isnard and Alexandre Zapolsky, had taken the initiative of convening this general meeting, the Minister detailed how France could maintain its leadership role in the sector: “In my view, the main objective is to multiply the number of reference, industrialized players, benefiting from more mature technologies and a stronger structuring of offerings. Most specialized players are small, and their economic situation remains fragile. The adoption of open-source software by large companies and the need to pool certain services to achieve economies of scale have led to the emergence of new specialist players, albeit still modest in size. We must therefore encourage the emergence of large companies in the open-source software sector. The sustained growth of the market is an opportunity for French companies to become truly international benchmark players.

In response, Guy Mamou-Mani, President of Syntec Numérique, emphasized that “it was only natural that Syntec Numérique should take the initiative, under the impetus of its Open Source Committee, to convene the first Etats Généraux de l’Open Source. We are indeed the professional chamber for all digital entrepreneurs, and Open Source has its rightful place there. I’m delighted that all the players in the ecosystem were present at this launch event.

While the debates were very rich and reflected the diversity of this ecosystem, the work has only just begun. In fact, all the players in the Open Source sector have a date with the working groups that will follow on from the day’s discussions. A date has also been set for the major national convention, to be held next autumn, at which these groups will report back.