We know your company uses open-source applications. We also know many of you already have an open-source policy. Sort of. As CIO.com discovered when researching the adoption of open-source in enterprise IT, a quarter of respondents have a formal policy in place to control how such software is chosen, supported and deployed. Another 18 percent expected to adopt such a policy in the next 12 months. But those who have some kind of policy aren’t necessarily thrilled with it; just 45 percent said their policies are very effective.
“Somewhat effective” policies are like “somewhat effective” security; clearly, there’s more to be learned. CIO.com asked CIOs and other people in the trenches about what’s working—and what’s not working—with their open-source usage policies. We found that most people don’t really have a formalized policy. What they do have, though, are common concerns. Considered carefully, these issues should help you get a handle on how to better manage open-source software in your company. Once that’s out of the way, you’re in a better position to decide what you want in a formal policy that’s right for your own company.