Understanding Open Source: Investigating an Alternative Software Development Model for the Postsecondary Market

The academic links to the origins of open source and the still rich development capabilities within the computer science departments of North American universities suggest that open source technologies - if properly managed and marketed - could play a significant role in the next generation of technologies for postsecondary institutions.

As institutional buyers become savvier, postsecondary institutions could reap noteworthy benefits from the availability of open source tools, including:

Reductions in IT expenditures
Customized software solutions
Real-time product evolution

Understanding Open Source: Investigating an Alternative Software Development Model for the Postsecondary Market highlights the principles, development model, and business models of open source software. The report also addresses the potential impact of open source software on the postsecondary e-education market. As institutional buyers consider the offerings available from external vendors, open source solutions may emerge as an appealing option, with companies and institutions both participating in software development.