What is AvanTech.net?

AvanTech.net is a small business, started in 1999, which belongs to Marc Laporte and specializes in TikiWiki CMS/Groupware.

What is a CMS?

CMS stands for Content Management System

What is Groupware?

Groupware is software designed to help people involved in a common task achieve their goals.

What is TikiWiki CMS/Groupware?

TikiWiki CMS/Groupware is a Web application, released as free source software, used to manage Web sites, e-communities, Intranets, etc. and which offers a ton of features out-of-the-box, covering a large number of Use cases. It is a Wiki and a CMS and a groupware.

What is a Web application?

A Web application is an application which is accessed through a Web browser over a network such as the Internet or an intranet. Often, it is based on a Linux-Apache-Mysql-PHP (LAMP) platform.

What is free software?

Free software is software which can be used, copied, studied, modified and redistributed with little or no restriction.

Why does AvanTech.net choose free software?

Software development is very expensive and often takes longer than anticipated. Free software offers many benefits.

1. Since the source code is available, we can adapt it to our specific needs. Since we are using tested software as a base, we reduce the risk of delays and unexpected development costs.
2. Since a very large community uses it and contributes, we only have to support a fraction of its development costs.
3. This permits a small company like AvanTech.net to offer a service level normally found in much larger companies.
4. AvanTech.net is committed to contributing back to the Open Source community and has been an important contributor to the success of TikiWiki.

Free? So I don't have to pay?

Correct. You can download at no cost.

Why would I pay for something I can have for free?

You don't pay for a license to use the software. You can choose to pay for services, such as installation, support, training, custom development and hosting.

So, I don't need AvanTech.net

That is correct.

Ok, so why would I choose AvanTech.net to help me?

To build a house: You could buy materials directly. All the materials (wood, screws, Gyprock, ciment, etc) used to build a house are readily available. If you want to be an architect/plumber/electrician to build your own house, it's up to you!

If you need to go to court for a commercial or other, you can very well choose to represent yourself. All legal texts are available online. The jurisprudence is public. However, if you choose a lawyer, it's because you, your job, is not to go to court and prepare a case.

Well, AvanTech.net's job is specifically to provide Tiki hosting, upgrades & support

And you can focus on updating your content!

Ok, so anyone could start a company and compete directly with AvanTech.net?

Yes and this is in AvanTech.net's interest. And, it's in the interest of AvanTech.net's customers. The more people use & develop Tiki, the better it gets.

For customers, it protects them from "Vendor lock-in". It can seem counter-intuitive, but this is coopetition.

For AvanTech.net, it's one more source of contribution to improve and give visibility to Tiki. AvanTech.net has many Partners.

If you would like to start your own TikiWiki-based consulting business, please contact AvanTech.net and/or the Tiki community.