Document:                      STR-450
Date of Publication:          March 31, 2008
Number of Pages:            5
Lead Author(s):                B. Guptill
Price:                              $195 USD

Perspective Summary:

Saugatuck’s current research among enterprise software providers indicates that many, if not most, see open source software as “just another piece of business.”

This is a shocking change from 2007, when Saugatuck interviews and briefings with software vendors worldwide indicated that most were struggling to understand the demand for open source software, the role of open source within their portfolios, and the most effective business models for profiting from open source.

Within the past 12 to 18 months, many software vendors have moved from fear to aggression, pursuing open source development firm acquisitions, incorporating open source code into offerings throughout their portfolios, and looking for (or planning) open source  offerings. Saugatuck sees two likely negative results of this:

1. To move too quickly from uncertainty to embrace bodes ill for many if not most vendors and their customers. A too-aggressive adoption and deployment of any technology leads to a lack of coordination across products and partners, incomplete offerings, and a lack of adequate support, all of which lead to unhappy customers and partners. 

2. At the same time, a surprising number of software vendors report to Saugatuck that they feel they have “this open source thing under control,” as a VP of technology and business strategy for one of the world’s largest software firms put it recently. Several already report open source as “just another code source” that is being integrated into their development operations. But when pressed for details regarding strategies and management resources dedicated to coordination and management of open source development and licensing, few have been able to report any.

To Purchase an Electronic Copy via Web Download:

Members who have purchased this report can access it by clicking here within 7 days of purchase.

If you are having trouble with our e-commerce engine, for whatever reason, just pick up the phone and call us at 1-203-454-3900 and we will be happy to take your order over the telephone and email you a copy of the report.

Copyright @ 1999-2008  Saugatuck Technology Inc. All rights reserved.
49 Riverside Avenue, Westport, CT 06880 - 1.203.454.3900