The tightening of the purse strings is causing some companies to step up use of open-source software. "Budgets are being cut, and some companies are looking at opportunities to use open source more in the enterprise," says Matt Aslett, an analyst at consulting firm 451 Group. While open-source software is already widely used to help businesses run their servers and database management systems, it's gaining wider acceptance in such areas as collaboration, customer relationship management, and supply chain management. A resurgence of interest in open-source software bodes well for the companies that have invested in its development but at times have struggled to make money from it. Open-source vendors typically generate revenue from helping maintain or adding features to software that's otherwise available for free.
Source: Business Week