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Unlikely bedfellows - open source initiatives and commercial vendors in the education market (Review Report)

Datamonitor
December 26, 2007
54 Pages - SKU: DFMN1666843

Abstract Table of Contents Search inside this report Related Reports

Introduction

Analysis of open source software in Education giving an understanding to the market, strategy and technology.

Scope

Understanding the Market for Open Source Initiatives in the Education Industry Implementing a successful open source solution in Education Understanding the potential technical pitfalls of open source in the education market

Highlights

Open source is becoming increasingly prominent within the education industry. This report examines what is driving institutions towards open source software and what strategy they should adopt.

Reasons to Purchase

Understand some of the technological pitfalls of adopting open source software in Education. View the market size of open source software for Education in North America, Western Europe, Australia and India. Understand when open source is, and isn't, appropriate for the education industry.

Overview
Catalyst
Summary
Executive Summary: Introduction; Understanding the Market for Open Source Initiatives in the Education Industry (Market Focus); Implementing a successful open source solution in Education (Strategy Focus); Understanding the potential technical pitfalls of open source in the education market (Technology Focus); Future Spending on Open Source Initiatives in the European Education Market 2007 - 2012 (Databook); Future Spending on Open Source Initiatives in the US and Asia-Pac Education Market 2007 - 2012 (Databook); Table of Contents; Table of figures; Table of tables; Understanding the Market for Open Source Initiatives in the Education Industry (Market Focus)
Summary: Open source has an increasingly important roll to play within the education community; Open source software is the chameleon of the technology industry; A note on open standards; Certain solutions areas are more suited to open source software than others; Multiple drivers are compelling institutions to adopt open source software; Lack of control over solutions is prompting institutions to look towards open source; Disenchantment with proprietary vendors is pushing some institutions to open source solutions; Some institutions believe that they get a higher ROI from open source software; The collaborative culture of education is particularly amenable to the adoption of OSS; Government mandates are compelling some educators to implement open source solutions; Open source software is not the answer for all institutions; Open source solutions rarely save money - as is often perceived; Institutions can struggle with the resources necessary for an open source solution; Not all open source applications are suitable for all types of institutions; K12 institutions ventures into open source will mainly be limited to operating systems; ERP and open source solutions are not easy bedfellows
ACTIONS: Vendors should seek to support institutions that choose open source; Many of the issues institutions currently have can be solved by proprietary software; Increased investment in developing solutions is critical; Implementing a successful open source solution in EDUCation (Strategy Focus)
SUMMARY: Institutions need to evaluate open source on multiple levels prior to its implementation; Institutions should carefully consider the benefits of an OSS; Open source is a risky option - Institutions should not take the decision of implementing an OSS lightly; Certain applications and types of institution are more suited to open source than others; Operating systems - above all other applications - are likely to provide the most value for K12 institutions; Open source LMS will fit well with institutions wishing to have increased control; Institutions entering into an ERP OSS should proceed with caution; Education institutions should ensure their solutions can be integrated; Real value from open source can be achieved by ensuring it functions with other solutions; Institutions should look towards vendors to see how they are enabling interoperability; Using an external company with an OSS can simplify issues for institutions; Institutions should mitigate risk as much as possible when implementing an OSS; Many institutions will find they have insufficient in-house experience to maintain an OSS
ACTIONS: Systems integrators should not attempt to recommend open source for all institutions; There are opportunities for vendors to maximize on institutions implementing open source; Proprietary vendors can bring some of the benefits of open source through their solutions; Understanding the potential technical pitfalls of open source in the education market (Technology Focus)
SUMMARY: Adopting an OSS can bring a number of technological advantages and disadvantages; Open code enables institutions to have more direction in the formation of their product; OSS comes under increased scrutiny compared to proprietary software; Institutions can not always be aware of the technological due diligence that takes place; The technological advantages of open source differ between applications; Sakai and Moodle offer real technological advantages for institutions; ERP applications are complex and mission critical and not yet sufficiently advanced in open source; Vendors should take the weakness of open source ERP as a reason not to sit on their laurels; OSS is not just about the product - there are other important issues; Interoperability is key to ensuring the success of OSS; The community behind an OSS is as important as the product; The nature of open source demands that vendors assist institutions with implementation; The success of One Laptop per Child could have an impact upon the education industry
ACTIONS: Vendors need to consider the potential impact of OLPC on the education market; Some vendors can help bring the advantages of open source to institutions; As institutions adopt OSS vendors should ensure the interoperability of their solutions; Future Spending on Open Source Initiatives in the European Education Market 2007 - 2012 (Databook); Introduction; Open source market size in France, 2006-2012; Open source market size in Germany, 2006-2012; Open source market size in Italy, 2006-2012; Open source market size in Nordics, 2006-2012; Open source market size in Spain, 2006-2012; Open source market size in The Netherlands, 2006-2012; Open source market size in the UK, 2006-2012; Future Spending on Open Source Initiatives in the US and Asia-Pac Education Market 2007 - 2012 (Databook); Introduction; Open source market size in Australia, 2006-2012; Open source market size in Canada, 2006-2012; Open source market size in India, 2006-2012; Open source market size in the United States, 2006-2012
APPENDIX: Definitions; Methodology; Further reading; Ask the analyst; Datamonitor consulting; Disclaimer
List of Tables: Table 1: Open source market size in France, 2006-2012; Table 2: Open source market size in Germany, 2006-2012; Table 3: Open source market size in Italy, 2006-2012; Table 4: Open source market size in Nordics, 2006-2012; Table 5: Open source market size in Spain, 2006-2012; Table 6: Open source market size in the Netherlands, 2006-2012; Table 7: Open source market size in the UK, 2006-2012; Table 8: Open source market size in Australia, 2006-2012; Table 9: Open source market size in Canada, 2006-2012; Table 10: Open source market size in India, 2006-2012; Table 11: Open source market size in the United States, 2006-2012
List of Figures: Figure 1: With 56% of education institutions using an OSS, open source is clearly making headway into the education market; Figure 2: Open source LMS market size for software and services in Education, 2006-2012; Figure 3: Some countries have a clear propensity towards open source over others - though there are different drivers across the geographies; Figure 4: Enabling further control is a key motivator for institutions exploring OSS; Figure 5: Open source Education market size (LMS and OS) for France, 2006-2012; Figure 6: Institutions with small IT budgets feel intimidated by the prospect of adopting OSS; Figure 7: Global open source operating systems market in K12, 2006 - 2012; Figure 8: Evaluating the merits of different types of software; Figure 9: Open source is most dominant in student facing products; Figure 10: The LMS market for open source is showing strong growth; Figure 11: Opportunities exist for vendors to help education institutions implement open source solutions; Figure 12: It might be an uphill struggle for an institution with open source - but they are in control of where they are going; Figure 13: There are multiple factors to evaluate when implementing OSS; Figure 14: Survey Results August 2007 - Higher Education institutions open source strategy; Figure 15: Open source market size in France, 2006-2012; Figure 16: Open source market size in Germany, 2006-2012; Figure 17: Open source market size in Italy, 2006-2012; Figure 18: Open source market size in Nordics, 2006-2012; Figure 19: Open source market size in Spain, 2006-2012; Figure 20: Open source market size in The Netherlands, 2006-2012; Figure 21: Open source market size in the UK, 2006-2012; Figure 22: Open source market size in Australia, 2006-2012; Figure 23: Open source market size in Canada, 2006-2012; Figure 24: Open source market size in India, 2006-2012; Figure 25: Open source market size in the United States, 2006-2012

Unlikely bedfellows - open source initiatives and commercial vendors in the education market (Review Report)

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