Today, companies large and small alike are adopting open source software (OSS). The world of OSS includes everything from server and desktop software, such as Linux, to web browsers like Google Chrome. OSS also includes ubiquitous programming languages that are maintained as open source projects. In fact, 78% of companies run on open source, and I think it’s likely the other 22% just don’t realize they are.

The Trend Towards OSS

Why the draw to open source software? Companies are attracted to the engagement and utility of the community and ecosystems around open source projects. Additionally, OSS attracts and retains top talent and allows for faster time-to-market. Open source technology has the potential to be of high quality; Linux is a great example, as the massive open-source operating system is now trusted by everyone from individuals to enterprise organizations. Last but not least, open source software adoption continues to grow inside IT organizations because of its price tag: it’s free.

Why would companies pay for software when they can get it for nothing?

Barclays, a British international banking and financial services provider, found that using open source software reduces their software development costs by 90%. They did this using an internal private cloud environment and open source Linux.

Other companies have found that OSS saves them more than just money. Companies are discovering that OSS lets them take advantage of the innovation benefits afforded by flexible, modern technology, allowing them to create new applications at a low cost, quickly and reliably. For example, Netflix is able to maintain their cheap monthly prices for consumers because their platform is entirely built on open source software. Small businesses and startups which need to meet their software requirements with extremely limited resources similarly benefit from the efficiency and cost savings.

Because the OSS community can quickly identify and fix problems in the code, actively maintained projects are often of equal, if not greater, quality than proprietary technologies. This community handles testing and code review — important processes which companies would otherwise have to pay for themselves.

The Risks Of OSS