More businesses turning to open source

Open source software has become the second most important consideration for cutting IT costs, according to government-sponsored research.

While developing more efficient processes is the main priority, 16 per cent of companies surveyed are looking into using open source software, compared with only seven per cent last year.

And one in five businesses see the technology as a potential solution to the problem of increasing licensing costs.

The Department of Trade and Industry funded the research, carried out by not-for-profit organisation OpenForum Europe, to look into the benefits of open source for business.

The survey and advice for companies considering using the technology is now available on the UK Online for Business website.

"Open source software is definitely coming of age. This is no longer an area of business support that is only the preserve of enthusiasts," e-commerce minister Stephen Timms told guests at an OpenForum Europe and Institute of Directors dinner last week.

"We have seen the ingenuity and application of the wider community of software authors combine to create cost-effective, reliable and, most importantly, well supported business solutions.

"Open source software has a proper place now alongside proprietary solutions," he said.

Timms added that potential benefits for business include cost savings, the ability to tailor software to meet specific needs and the reliability that comes from wide consultation on freely available source code.

Whitehall buying arm the Office of Government Commerce recently announced the first major government use of open source technology.

The Linux-based Purchase and Pay project in the Department of Work and Pensions handles 80 per cent of the department's enormous stationery purchasing requirement.

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