open source

In this podcast, Bryan House talks to Forrester Analyst Stephen Powers about his recent report Web Content Management and Open Source: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions. Listen to Stephen expand on the drivers for use of open source for WCM initiatives in the enterprise.

Forrester Research says enterprises interested in open source web content management should keep a close eye on Drupal and Alfresco. We agree. So does the Alfresco team. It's great to see the cream rising to the top.

Savio Rodrigues of InfoWorld tries to parse what makes open-source buyers tick, and how to generate more of them. In so doing, he suggests that the real battleground is over those enterprises with both money and expertise to go it alone with open-source software (so-called "Category B" customers).

Why should they bother buying support when they can self-support?

Joining Acquia not only marks the earliest stage that I’ve joined a company, but also the first time I’ve joined a commercial Open Source company. This was one of the main reasons I chose to join the company. Managing a services business at an Open Source software company creates some interesting challenges compared to my past experience in traditional software and consulting businesses.

Open source software continues its torrid pace. In fact, according to a report from the 451 Group, the sector saw its biggest quarter for venture funding — hitting $203.75 million, which is up from $100.4 million in the same period a year ago.

Why the interest? Well, I had a chance to interview Matthew Aslett, who is an analyst of enterprise software at the 451 Group.

Your take on the focus on open source?

VCs are interested in open source vendors because the open source development and distribution models reduce start-up costs and lower the barriers to entry.

Come visit Acquia at Infoworld OSBC, the Open Source Business Conference.

The theme for OSBC this year is "Putting Open Source to Work". Presentations and panel discussions in OSBC's fifth year will explore how both traditional and non-traditional open source businesses are achieving benefits from platform flexibility and better performance to cost savings.

Sandro Groganz has an interesting post where he attempts to calculate the value of the MySQL brand as a component of the acquisition price Sun paid. Here's the punch line: "As of today, a whopping 85% of MySQL’s economic value added can be attributed to its strong Open Source brand." I haven't checked Sandro's math in detail, but it's clear that brand is a huge component of the value of MySQL."

Michael Cote over at Redmonk just posted a writeup and analysis of our conversation about Acquia this afternoon.