10 reasons to use open source in business

"That most free and open source software has no purchase cost provides an obvious incentive for the adoption of open source software, but most companies are happy to pay for upkeep, maintenance, training and support if these services bring apparent reward.

"This has been the model for most open source companies. A company that distributes free and open source software depends on the relative excellence of the support it provides for revenue, and has an incentive for ensuring the quality of its services.

"A company such as JBoss, now a subsidiary of Red Hat, has been able to generate revenue without compromising its principles, and has proved that subscription, installation, training, support, upgrades and maintenance can provide realistic opportunities for creating income streams for a product that is at least the equal of, and arguably superior to, many of its rivals."

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