The success of open source software has been placing pressure on the business models of proprietary software vendors. In response, many software vendors have shifted from a paid-for license model to an open source business model. This presentation will explore the emerging trend of proprietary software vendors transitioning to an open source business model – the elimination of software licensing fees, source-code transparency, and a reliance on services as the revenue engine. It will cover the impact on software vendors and end users alike, and will include best practices from a number of companies that have already made the transition, including failed attempts.

Speaker Bio: Raven Zachary covers open source technology for The 451 Group. This includes coverage of both industry and community issues, as well as the new Commercial Adoption of Open Source (CAOS) Service. Prior to joining The 451 Group, he was the senior technical editor and consulting industry analyst for Enterprise Open Source Journal, and the editor of The Open Source Update, an open source industry newsletter. He was also the principal of o*rev, an enterprise open source consulting firm working with enterprise IT and software vendors on open source strategy.