Seven Predictions for Open Source in 2009

The economic downturn and the move toward alternative software models will combine to push the open source market forward this year.

By Roger Burkhardt, Ingres

2008 was an eventful, breakthrough year for many open source companies, and 2009 will be even more so, especially in terms of business purchasing patterns, software business model shifts, and enterprise software stack evolution. The current economic conditions will certainly prompt businesses to look more closely at alternative IT solutions – and open source technology will be one of the big winners next year.

Here’s a look at a few 2009 open source predictions that I believe will re-shape the software market in the coming year.

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Grow Your Startup in 2009

Jon Fisher provides his perspective on the most important business-building initiatives for software startups in this post to his SandHill.com Blog, Strategic Entrepreneurism.

Publish Your Perspective!

SandHill.com wants your opinions. Send your thoughts on the enterprise software industry to SandHill.com editor, Maryann Jones Thompson (maryann@sandhill.com) and have your opinions published on our site.

Strategy in a ‘Structural Break’

During hard times, a structural break in the economy is an opportunity in disguise. To survive - and, eventually, to flourish - companies must learn to exploit it. Read how in this feature from The McKinsey Quarterly.

Poll: Open Source in 2009?

What will be the trajectory of the open source market in 2009?
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Last month, readers picked their favorite software story of 2008. What was yours?
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More at SandHill.com:

EMC reportedly buys SourceLabs, but for what purpose?
Read the most important enterprise software industry news of the week >>

Marketing software maker Infusionsoft received $7.9 million.
Monitor the latest software venture capital deals >>

Tata buys Citigroup’s tech services group for $512 million.
Size up last week’s software M&A deals >>

VANTOS named Robert Collins Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.
See who’s made it to the top in our list of recent software executive appointments.

Send us your feedback on this newsletter and the SandHill.com site.

Parting Thought

“The herd instinct among forecasters makes sheep look like independent thinkers.”
— Paul Saffo

Courtesy of Malcolm Kusher, The Kushner Group

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