Open Source to the Enterprise
May 29, 2011
The technology world is constantly changing and while some concepts catch on and are embraced easily by the public, others take a little longer to win over the crowd. When it first entered onto the scene many people were uneasy about taking a chance on open source but the technology is catching on. According to the NetworkComputing.com’s “Survey” Half of Enterprise Software Will Be Open Source Within Five Years” a recent survey showed not only are more companies using open source but industry experts predict this is only the beginning.
The survey was conducted by OSBC and the results were shared at the Open Source Business Conference 2011. Survey results showed that 60 percent of those surveyed were already using open source software and 56 percent predicted that over the next five years more than half of business software purchases will be open source. We learned:
“This is because customers have overcome their reluctance toward using open source, such as concerns about licenses, and are embracing its virtues, such as flexibility, lower cost and avoiding vendor lock-in.”
Many IT users admitted that in the beginning they did not actually understand open source and what it had to offer. There were also a lot of questions surrounding the open licensing concept including potential copyright violations. Enterprises begin to see that the benefits of the software programming far outweighed any potential concerns they might have. Open source perks such as having free rein of the open source license instead of being tied to a vendor was considered the major advantage followed by lower operating costs and flexibility were the notable areas. Companies are always looking for ways to get the most out of its software but vendor licensing often places very strict restrictions on how users can utilize programming. Open source provides users with flexibility and allows them to manipulate the software to meet their specific needs. The ability to change a program several times if necessary to fit a variety of needs instead of purchasing separate components saves valuable money and time.
Companies are also continuing to develop possible uses for their open source software such as in a SaaS model or the ever popular cloud computing. It should come as no big surprise that open source has found its way into the SaaS and cloud computing world because the software allows such freedom and innovation due to the open license. With open source popping up everywhere even in some mobile technology it seems that the tables have turned.
The question is, “How long will open source vendors remain open?” IBM has been a champion of open source, but it continues to expand its proprietary software holdings. What about Oracle? Is the company a “friend” of open source, or is the firm playing a sophisticated game of lock in and toll road?
We are watching the situation because even the open Google is starting to look more like a closed vendor particularly with regard to Android.
Will open source software become another marketing buzzword, devoid of meaning, or will it become a platform for sustained revenue growth?
April Holmes, May 29, 2011
Sponsored by ArnoldIT.com, the resource for enterprise search information
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