Report

August 2000

Open Source Cracks The Code

Carl Howe 		Most companies are already using some type of open source software. But firms don't anticipate the endgame -- a reshaping of the software industry.
by Carl Howe with Joseph Butt, Jr., Steven Kim, Saira Khawaja

INTERVIEWS
  • 56% of interviewees use some type of open source software.
  • 84% of firms interviewed see open source boosting innovation.
ANALYSIS
  • Companies will adopt open source because trusted vendors like IBM, Dell, and Intel support it.
  • Open source will displace 20% of licensing dollars by 2004.
ACTION
  • Treat open source software like you do proprietary software -- don't change it.
  • Educate your purchasing department on open source business models.
WHAT IT MEANS
  • Companies will pay more for five-star open source coders.
 
Figures & Data
  • Figure 1.  Open Source Software In Global 2,500 Companies
  • Figure 2.  Open Source Creates A More Competitive Software Industry
  • Figure 3.  How Open Source Differs From Proprietary Software
  • Figure 4.  A Sampling Of Independent Open Source Organizations
  • Figure 5.  Open Source Displaces 20% Of Software License Spending By 2004
   
RELATED MATERIAL 
  • Companies Interviewed For This Report
  • Other Sources Used For This Report
  • Related Research
 
GRAPEVINE
  • Beware of geeks bearing guns.
  • Is it raining in your area code?
  • Technology paves the way.
  • Aliens sabotage the SETI project.
corner border corner
Ratings and Comments
NOT YET RATED
corner border corner