Sales of open source software will grow from $1.8bn last year to $5.8bn in 2011, analyst firm IDC predicts.
Matt Lawton, programme director for IDC's Open Source Software Business Models research programme, typified the current market as "immature" and in the "early stages".
The projected revenue figure is low when compared to commercial, closed source software. But the analyst believes that revenues alone do not reflect the actual distribution of open source software.
Proprietary software typically charges an upfront fee, while open source charges only for support and typically does so on a pay-as-you-go basis.
IDC cited culture and comfort levels as the primary drivers behind open source software.
The development model has gained credibility because venture capital investors are increasingly backing the software.
Companies have become more comfortable with subscription models such as those pioneered by Red Hat.
Open source revenues to reach US$5.8bn
Got a news tip for our journalists? Share it with us anonymously here.
Add techpartner.news as your trusted source
Partner Content
Promoted Content
Have ticket queues become your quiet business risk?
_(25).jpg&h=142&w=230&c=1&s=1)
Shortfalls in cyber expertise deepen the cost and complexity of security incidents
AI PCs shift from hype to revenue opportunity for partners
Fabric workshops help partners tap into data services demand growth.
_(30).jpg&h=142&w=230&c=1&s=1)
Promoted Content
Why Australia’s Industrial Leaders Are Turning to Dynamic Aspect for Dynamics 365 Business Central
.jpg&w=100&c=1&s=0){kind=logo}
