Six Questions to Ask About Open Source

Here are questions IT managers need to ask when considering embracing open-source software as enterprise standards.

Confused about how or even whether open-source software should fit into your enterprise? Considering all the conflicting messages out there--from Microsoft defending the commercial software model to advocates of open-source software claiming proprietary software no longer makes sense in the era of open, Internet-based infrastructures--its not surprising. To cut through the confusion, here are some questions IT managers need to ask when considering embracing open-source software as enterprise standards.

What changes would the enterprise need to make to its current infrastructure to make open-source products fit?

What functional capabilities does the enterprise require?

What packaged applications does the enterprise require, and are there open-source apps that would meet its needs?

What service-level agreements must be implemented, and could they be met using open-source products?

What current tools and technologies can be applied, and how?

What benefits and returns will the changes and implementation of open-source software bring?

Source: Gartner Inc. and eWEEK reporting

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