Leveraging Open Source

Srivibhavan BalaramGM & MD at Vocera

Communications IndiaFounder, ex-CEO Cloubyte

What we will talk about

• Open Source• Why should we leverage it?• How do we go about it?• Risks of leveraging Open Source• Open Source Start-ups

Open Source

• GNU - GPL / LGPL• Free BSD • Open BSD• SUN /Oracle – Opensolaris• Apache• MIT• Eclipse• Mozilla

License Basics

• Modifications have to be returned to the source project

• You cannot “sell” the software with embedded open source components

• BSD and Opensolaris licenses are far less restrictive

Why Leverage Open Source?

• Time to market• High quality Software• Cutting Edge Ideas• Builds Credibility with the Customer• Brand Building Happens Through Open Source

Community

How?• Choose an Open Source project that is

relevant• First get involved in the community and build

your credibility• Be a contributor before you use components• To have a sustained involvement, your

company will have to invest a few full-time developers to the community

• Successful leverage normally implies community leadership

Risks

• You can bet on the wrong Project – No momentum

• Open Source community can “come after you” if you are perceived as a “downloading company”

• Licensing is a key risk and it is best to seek legal opinion on the licensing of the applicable project

Open Source Companies

• Example : Red Hat• Package and Distribute Open Source Software

– Charge for Support and customization• Continuous revenue stream• Appeals to Investors – Relatively lower market

risk, No technology risk• Build your unique value proposition over time• One of the better approaches for Enterprise /

Infrastructure Software

Summary

• Participation and leadership in community is crucial

• It is a good idea to start as an open source Company – Build your value proposition over time

• Pay great attention to licensing before you leverage components

• Build your brand by contributing to open source

Thank You