Despite the hype, commercial confidence in Open Source technologies is low. Yet the benefits of access to original source code and reduced licensing costs can't be ignored. This independent report commissioned by the Department for Trade and Industry and written by NCC presents a comprehensive view of the current debate and explores the key issues surrounding the UK Open Source movement. The report also includes the view from the UK IT practitioner community as well as an assessment of the future of and the opportunities offered by Open Source.

The report highlights the main concerns around adoption of Open Source technologies and also provides an insight into the opportunities for all businesses.

Key Benefits and Observations of the report:

• Performance - Open Source code can be changed and or, optimised by the user
• Open standards - no proprietary lock-in
• Open Source promises to deliver low cost software
• Open Source can sit beside traditional commercial business models based on the protection of intellectual property
• Traditional commercial businesses have taken note of their customers' interests in open alternatives
• Open Source gives the end user a chance to get closer to the development process and to influence its outcome
• The move towards service provision is a significant development for end users

68 Pages, Published January 2002.

Download the Executive summary of this Best Practice Guide (pdf - 175K)