Suggestions for Apache Tomcat Support?

tgrissom asks: "I work for a municipal government whose policy is to have support contracts on all software that operates mission-critical applications. Some of our web mapping applications have begun to use Apache Tomcat as their preferred java servelet engine. (They used to use Macromedia jRun, needless to say I am ecstatic about the change as I use Apache at home and in various other project arenas). My issue, however, is that I am being asked to find someone to be the 'supporting agency' and myself, my friends, my geek network, and the open-source community at-large are not acceptable replies. To cut to the point - does anyone out there use a reputable open source contractor to provide technical support for Apache Tomcat and if so, can you provide their contact information? Thanks for your consideration and response."

Comments

apache.org?

[zoloto]

Have you tried the apache organisation? I mean have you contacted them and asked if they would be interested in providing paid-for support for their open source proect?

I'm willing to bed that they would wouldn't mind.

Re:apache.org?

[ComputerSlicer23]

You might also want to try tigris.org. They don't appear to be officially supporting tigris, but I know that a bunch of people there are involved pretty tightly with Apache.org, and they are a "development shop", that supports several products. I'm reasonable sure if they won't do it, they'd know who would (the same with Apache).

Kirby

Details

[chuckcolby]

Many government organizations have very strict guidelines about who can/can't do business with them. One of them is often that the support organization needs to be bonded for a large (generally $2m or more) sum. This is where I show my ignorance; maybe the organization in question is already bonded in order to be able to service government agencies. But it might be a factor in whether or not they'll even be able to step up to the plate.

Covalent

[stefanlasiewski]

Check out Covalent in San Francisco.

Apache is what they do. Several of the major Apache developers work for Covalent. The company provides training, support and managed services for Apache, Tomcat, etc.

Red Hat?

[Eneff]

I don't know if you're running this on Windows or *ix, but Red Hat may be willing to work something out with you. If not, check out IBM. IBM will set up anything for the right price, last I heard.

Be warned; IBM might instead try to get you to move to Websphere.

Doing a little google work says that http://www.coopermcgregor.com/support/support.plan s.pdf shows cooper mcgregor supporting apache + tomcat.

Re:Red Hat?

[metamatic]

Since WebSphere is based on Tomcat, moving to WebSphere might not be a dumb move.

Re:Red Hat?

[decep]

WebSphere is in no way based on Tomcat.

Re:Red Hat?

[decep]

IBM would probably urge you to use WebSphere instead of Tomcat, but they would not try to strong-arm you into using it. Once the support contract is written, IBM will follow it to the letter no matter what middleware is involved.

Remember, IBM is a services company. While they do make middleware, and it is their prefered platform, they will work with anything as long as it makes them money.

Re:Red Hat?

[valshaq]

HP (http://www.hewlett-packard.com) offers a Linux Reference Architecture they presented in a keynote on Linuxtag. It also includes Apache on RedHat or SuSE systems.

Re:Red Hat?

[metamatic]

Well, perhaps it would have been clearer if I said that WebSphere and Tomcat are both based on the same code.

WebSphere's servlet engine is heavily based on Sun's reference implementation of a servlet engine for J2EE, and so is Tomcat.

IBM licenses the code from Sun, and Sun also donates the code as open source to the Apache Software Foundation. Tomcat 4, for example, combines the Sun reference code for the JSP 1.2 and Servlet 2.3 APIs with the independently developed JServ technologies.

Similarly, the HTTP server bundled with WebSphere is based on Apache.

Need support for Open Source Software?

[Anonymous Coward]

I'm sure there are many consultants willing to charge a stiff annual retainer and $200-$250 per hour (in 6 minute increments) or more depending on how much your organization feels is appropriate.

novell

[CounterZer0]

Novell uses tomcat extensively, and I'm sure would offer you a support contract.

JBoss, Inc.?

[psykocrime]

I think JBoss (the for-profit company, not the open-source project) provides Tomcat support. Check out the info at: http://www.jboss.com/google/tomcat

This part would seem to indicate they could help you:

There are a number of advantages for choosing JBoss Inc. support services including:

• * Quick resolution to support issues because the issues are handled directly by the core development team. This helps you to avoid the run-around common from today's commercial software vendors.
• * Optimization of your Middleware infrastructure. With the help of our experts, you can begin to optimize the use of open source middleware products and customize your architectures and applications for greater performance and efficiency.
• * Lowest possible total cost of ownership that comes from the unique combination of no cost software licenses and competitively priced support services. JBoss Support Services are priced per application instead of per CPU or server thus preventing you from being penalized for successful enterprise applications.
• * Speed development and deployment times for new or existing applications. JBoss experts can help you to get the job done fast, seamlessly and flawlessly. And since time is money, this further helps to reduce your overall middleware costs.
• * Accountability that comes from a financially stable and trusted company. JBoss also provides indemnification from threatened or pending legal action for any purported JBoss patent or copyright infringements. The buck stops at JBoss Inc.
• * Extensive Partner Network expertly trained and certified on JBoss products to further increase availability of first and second line technical support.
• * Comprehensive support offering including production and RightStart development support, training and certification, online education, and online support tools for a wide range of open source middleware products including JBoss Application Server, Hibernate, Tomcat, JBoss Cache, Nukes, JGroups, and more.

Jakarta already has a list...

[Bazzargh]

Depends where you are though, this list is US-centric:

Vendors List

Someone else has already suggested the JBoss group, there's also the Core Developers Network, both of them provide support in Europe.

Easy

[FreeLinux]

policy is to have support contracts on all software that operates mission-critical applications.

I assume that this policy also applies to operating systems. If you are using Windows, Microsoft won't offer any help with Apache. However, Novell uses Jakarta in their Netware OS. Switching your platform to Netware would give you Jakarta support from Novell. Additionally, with Novell's acquisition of SuSE, you may also be able to get a support plan with Novell running Jarkarta on SuSE.

If your agency is willing to spend a lot of money IBM may be the one to choose for Jarkarta support. Although I suspect that they will try to sell you Websphere instead.