A Cure for What Ails Microsoft
By Jay Wrolstad NewsFactor Network June 2, 2003
Microsoft must be cautious in delivering any code to the open-source community. "They have spent billions developing their software, and they don't want to give away the crown jewels," said Yankee Group senior analyst Laura DiDio. _________________________________________________________________
No longer able to dismiss out of hand the attacks coming from all directions -- or to counterattack with impunity -- Microsoft may be well advised to extend an olive branch to the open-source community, say some industry analysts.
It is no secret that open-source software is gaining ground on the server, on the desktop, and in PDAs and next-generation phones. Given the vast array of tools and the network of applications developers at its disposal, said Forrester Research analyst Ted Schadler, Microsoft could generate increased interest and revenue by assuming a more giving attitude.
First, it could make its common-language runtime (CLR) more widely available. Embracing the Mono project designed to replicate the NET framework on Linux also could be a smart move.
Beyond the Desktop
Schadler told NewsFactor that the development-focused benefits of the Microsoft architecture are still a strong lure for buyers. "The company has a tremendous ability to build tools for application development and is the best at helping developers build easy-to-use applications quickly," he said.
The challenge now is to move beyond the PC and notebook to build new software that connects the desktop to phones and handhelds. "Microsoft needs to get its software on as many devices as possible, not just the operating system," Schadler said. To compete in the Java world, which is where many of these devices are, he said, the company could take advantage of open source by offering some of the lower layers of the CLR to that community and make it easier to port their software.
"It's a proliferation strategy, and once their technology is out in the open, Microsoft can then sell more development tools and support services," said the analyst said.
Cautious Approach
Yankee Group senior analyst Laura DiDio, agrees, up to a point. "Microsoft cannot adopt a bunker mentality, or aggressively attack open source, because open source is not going away," she told NewsFactor. "And the company is providing ammunition to those who consider it the evil empire out to preserve its monopoly status."
But Microsoft must be cautious in delivering any code to the open-source community. "They have spent billions developing their software, and they don't want to give away the crown jewels," DiDio said. For handhelds and phones, there could be an advantage in releasing some of its CLR, as long as some controls are established, she suggested.
A potential problem with this strategy is that if the code were released, there could eventually be as many versions of Windows and .NET as there are of Linux. "They should offer just enough to enable interoperability," DiDio cautioned.
Shared Knowledge
One concern for Microsoft is that it only supports its own platform and has shown little inclination to consider other standards, said Forrester analyst Stacey Quandt.
"It would be to their advantage to embrace more applications developers, including those in open source," she told NewsFactor. Microsoft already has a shared-source initiative enabling systems integrators to modify some of the company's software for handheld devices.
The company knows that a growing number of its customers are leaning toward alternative platforms, such as Linux, and it therefore has to consider supporting other operating systems as replacements for Windows in new devices, Quandt said.
The Mono Factor
Then there is the Mono project, sponsored by software firm Ximian and designed as an open source, Linux-based version of Microsoft's .NET Web-services development platform. Microsoft is keeping a close eye on the project, says Forrester's Schadler. It would enable .NET to run on virtually any operating system.
"If their architecture is out there, Microsoft ultimately wins, because they still own the servers, tools and channel relationships," he said. "Microsoft is interested in this because they want to keep all of their options open."
Mono could be a hedge strategy for Microsoft, DiDio agreed, but she pointed out that there has not yet been a stampede toward Linux. A Yankee Group study reports that only 7 percent of server users have adopted the platform, and just 3.5 percent of organizations plan to install Linux on the desktop.
Bridges To Build
Microsoft could relinquish some Mono project secrets, DiDio said, but may be reluctant to do so since the Linux community has yet to satisfactorily define ownership of the platform.
Quandt is not so sure. "I don't see them jumping on [the Mono project], she said, because it undercuts their Windows business."
The bottom line is that Microsoft needs to forge some bridges with the open-source community, said DiDio. "It has become a case of 'if you can't beat 'em, join 'em,'" she said. ===============================================================