DISA promotes open source

The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) is releasing an open-source code named the Open Source Corporate Management System (OSCMIS) as part of its move to support open-source software across the federal government.

DISA has been using the applications to support more than 16,000 users worldwide, and hopes that opening it up to more agencies will encourage them to use and further develop OSCMIS. OSCMIS is a collection of more than 50 web-based applications that handles human resources, training, security, acquisitions and related functions--all areas needed by every federal agency.

DISA "hopes to get access to more developers in the common community," said Richard Nelson, DISA's chief of personnel systems support branch at the Manpower, Personnel and Security Directorate.

Nelson added that his shop has only seven developers, and needs help on many additional projects.

For more on DISA and open source:
- check out this Federal Computer Week article