Jul 2007
Report Four: Managing in the Open

In this report, The 451 Group investigates the impact of open source on the systems management software space. This is a software segment that has been dominated by proprietary software vendors on the one hand and internally developed scripts and tools on the other. But there are signs that this is changing, and a new middle ground is rapidly growing. Open source vendors that can address where there are gaps or user needs in the traditional offerings – monitoring, configuration, provisioning and others, particularly with Linux – have the best chance of success.

Proprietary systems management vendors have been slow to embrace open source, providing an increased opportunity for new vendors to emerge, and for popular open source systems management projects to get consideration. Virtualization is also contributing to this phenomenon. Still, 451 analysts expect more involvement in open source support, partnership, M&A and emulation from the proprietary vendors, particularly in the next year or so.

This report examines the impact of open source on the systems management software segment. More specifically, it examines the future of open source systems management and the impact on traditional software vendors and end users. The focus of this report is the emergence of a number of open source systems management vendors and the disruptive impact they may have on proprietary systems management vendors. The report reviews the existing open source systems management players and clearly articulates the similarities and differences among offerings. It also explores the noncommercial angle and leading open source systems management projects that are being rapidly adopted in the enterprise.

The report also takes a look at the impact of this disruption on end-user organizations. It includes a set of recommendations for end users with regard to open source systems management, as well as recent survey data on the topic. What is clear from interactions with end users is that open source is now deeply entrenched in the software infrastructure of many organizations. End-user organizations that have seen benefits from open source software at the lower level of the infrastructure stack are now contemplating opportunities for open source software in systems management.

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About The 451 Group

The 451 Group is an independent technology industry analyst company focused on the business of enterprise IT innovation. The company’s analysts provide critical and timely insight into the market and competitive dynamics of innovation in emerging technology segments. Clients of the company – at vendor, investor, service- provider and end-user organizations – rely on 451 insight to support both strategic and tactical decision-making for competitive advantage.

The 451 Group is headquartered in New York, with offices in key locations, including San Francisco, London and Boston. For additional information on the company or to apply for trial access to its services, go to: www.the451group.com