To Go Open or Not to Go Open, that is the Question
Brian Kelley, CIO, Portage County
Brian Kelley, CIO, Portage County
Today in the 21st century, more and more technology companies, businesses, and governments across the globe are embracing open source solutions to drive innovation, reduce costs, and free themselves from the plethora of burdens and restrictions inherent in proprietary technology. Historically, the concept of sharing technology predates the Internet and even the first computers. Henry Ford successfully challenged the Selden patent on the 2-cycle gasoline engine in 1911 enabling a cross-licensing agreement for U.S. auto manufacturing companies to jointly develop and share technology freely without exchanging money or fearing law suits. The concept of “open source” technology would later emerge with the birth of the Internet in 1969 and the free software movement at the end of the 20th century. The consumerization of IT, Internet of Things, cloud possibilities, and disruptive technology driving innovation today pervasively across the globe is no doubt the result of open source technology that is being adopted, shared, and reused indiscriminately to everyone’s benefit.