Ignoring open source 'untenable' for business

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Some 45 per cent of all companies are using open source software (OSS) for mission-critical applications but there is plenty of room from growth, according to a Forrester Research survey.

The results showed that the adoption of open source office and business tools is constantly growing, with 92 per cent of people who adopted it are having their expectations met or exceeded.

The main motivation to move to open source is cost savings, with 56 per cent of respondents citing this, but independence, flexibility and innovation are also important factors.

The report, commissioned by IT company Bull, said: “Looking forward, software decision-makers will find that ignoring open source software will be an increasingly untenable position.”

It also seems the principles of open source are being transferred into corporate practices.

The report stated: “The free sharing of source code or the way of forming communities of contributors and consumers which are typical to public open source projects, is now transferred to the corporate microcosm.”

“The creation of corporate software frameworks and reusable business services as well as new business logic moves to a kind of corporate open source community.”

Not all the news is positive. Security is the number one concern for businesses using open source, and they're also concerned about the availability of services and support.

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