[D9640general] Ending RI Support of RI-CAS and RI-DAS

[Garry D Krischock]

Ending RI Support of RI-CAS and RI-DAS

Outstanding Issues: Other Alternatives - 4 June 2008

1. Providing RI-CAS and RI-DAS Source Code

Unfortunately, RI does not have working source code for this software. In
software technical terms, this specifically means that the source code will
not compile (generate an .exe file). 

In order for Rotary to release the source code, it would need to spend
thousands of dollars to fix the source code and to verify that the code will
generate an .exe file that does exactly what the existing RI-CAS and RI-DAS
software does today. In addition, for protection of the RI's trademarks,
all references to Rotary would have to be removed from the code, further
increasing the costs to update the source code before its release.

And finally, perhaps the most compelling reason that this option is not
really viable is that the underlying software technology is over eight years
old. In the software industry, this is considered completely out of date.
Current trends for administrative software have developed in a completely
different direction and use different approaches (e.g. online access) to
provide this functionality.

2. Selling the software to a district, not-for-profit entity, or user
group

Given the current condition of the source code, it would be a
massive undertaking for another group to take the code as is and clean it up
as outlined above. Rotary International is also very concerned about not
making the current situation for users worse by providing a sense of false
hope. RI was unable to fully support this software or to promote its
widespread use. Expecting another group to be able to change this situation
may be unrealistic.

3. Asking another entity to continue Providing support on a fee-basis

We have not been able to come up with a workable business model.
RI estimates that there are a total of about 1,000 clubs in the United
States, Australia, and South Africa that use RI-CAS. Given what we know
about the need to promote, upgrade, provide training, and support the
software, all clubs participating in this type of arrangement would be
required to pay a substantial fee on a yearly basis. Our research has shown
that many clubs use RI-CAS because it is so cost-effective (free) for their
small club and are not willing to pay a fee to continue using it.


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