LPI Applauds UN Organization Report

(Sacramento, CA, USA: November 29, 2012) The Linux Professional
Institute (LPI), the world's premier Linux certification organization
(http://www.lpi.org), applauds the release of the flagship report "The
Information Economy Report 2012: The Software Industry and Developing
Countries" by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
(UNCTAD).  The report provides specific recommendations on Free and Open 
Source Software (FOSS) for national policy makers and includes two
examples of the value of LPI's training and certification programs for
ICT development.

"We are pleased to be included in this landmark study on the key drivers 
in the evolving global software landscape and how our program at LPI has 
played a role in the development of the IT industry within select 
geographies around the world," said Jim Lacey, president and CEO of LPI. 
"This report is also exemplary for the Free and Open Source Software 
community as it recognizes how FOSS solutions can offer both IT export 
opportunities and provide solutions for domestic software needs within 
national economies," added Mr.Lacey.

LPI's programs are cited within the report as follows:

* Within Chapter IV (Section B. FOSS and Local Software Industry
Development, pg.66) is a case study entitled "Creating business and
learning opportunities with FOSS in Africa: the case of ict@innovation". 
This example describes LPI's training and certification program with 
ict@innovation and goes on to state that the "provision of such courses 
can be a viable business opportunity. Moreover, by having certified 
staff, African IT enterprises involved in open source software can 
improve the quality of their services and win new clients."

* In Chapter V: Policies To Enable National Software Systems, Section C: 
Securing Access to Relevant Skills (pg.93) the report describes LPI's 
joint program with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) to 
support Linux certification and training within the 22 member countries 
of the League of Arab States.  The case study notes this initiative 
followed a joint LPI/ITU pilot program in Afghanistan, the Lao People’s 
Democratic Republic, Occupied Palestinian Territory, Pakistan, Syrian 
Arab Republic and Yemen: "LPI's network of industry representatives, 
enterprise customers and Linux professionals recognize an economic 
interest in this training program as it connects to a community which 
speaks the local language. LPI’s mandate is to promote professional 
standards and global adoption of Linux and other open source software 
through training. It is expected that open source software will quickly 
become attractive for the majority of the region’s young ICT trainees as 
it has deep roots in community and collaborative work groups."

FOSS related highlights include the following:

* In "Chapter IV: The Role of Free and Open Source Software" (pg.62-63), 
the report describes the following values of FOSS to the development of 
national software industries:
- Promotion of local learning
- Lower costs and local value creation
- Less dependence on specific technologies and vendors
- Enable adaptation of software to local needs
- Address concerns related to national security and long-term availability

* The report's concluding policy recommendations (pg.108) also provides
national governments with direction on enabling FOSS adoption and use:

"Give adequate attention to FOSS, especially in public
procurement:...FOSS can promote domestic market development and local
innovation. Rather than purchasing software licences and services
abroad, local FOSS development, sales and services can help keep
resources within the local economy, avoid dependency on specific vendors 
and provide opportunities for income generation and employment. FOSS can 
also enable local software SMEs to establish new niche markets. 
Governments should seize the various advantages of relying on FOSS when 
this offers a competitive solution to their software needs.
Technological trends, especially with regard to cloud computing, mobile
applications and big data, are further accentuating the reliance on FOSS."

The full report is available at:
http://unctad.org/en/PublicationsLibrary/ier2012_en.pdf

The Linux Professional Institute is globally supported by the IT
industry, enterprise customers, community professionals, government
entities and the educational community. LPI's certification program is
supported by an affiliate network spanning five continents and is
distributed worldwide in multiple languages at more than 5,000 testing
locations. Since 1999, LPI has delivered over 350,000+ exams and
120,000+ LPIC certifications around the world.

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About the Linux Professional Institute:

The Linux Professional Institute provides a global framework, industry
leadership and other services to enhance, develop and further lifelong
professional careers in Linux and Open Source technologies. Established
as an international non-profit organization in September 1999 by the
Linux community, the Linux Professional Institute continues to
demonstrate recognized global leadership, direction and skill standards
for those who pursue a career in Linux and Open Source technology. LPI
advances the Linux and Open Source movement through strategic partners,
sponsorships, innovative programs and community development activities.
LPI's major financial sponsors are Platinum Sponsors IBM, Linux Journal, 
Linux Magazine, Novell, SGI, and TurboLinux as well as Gold Sponsors, HP 
and IDG.

Media Contact:

Scott Lamberton
Director of Communications
Linux Professional Institute
http://www.lpi.org
slamberton@lpi.org
+1-905-269-0862