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Compatibility Test: Page 2 of 4

Another startup, SourceLabs Inc., last week introduced support services for a stack of open-source development tools, including Spring Framework, Apache Axis, Apache Struts, and Hibernate, which the company tested to make sure they'll work together. Known collectively as Sash, these tools help programmers write Web-based applications on top of Oracle databases. "Sash helps companies move forward with their open-source strategies," says SourceLabs CEO Byron Sebastian.

Even with the most-established open-source software, such as Linux, IT executives worry about service and support. If they're going to look to newer, emerging apps, the open-source community needs to deliver support and ease integration. At the moment, the answer from vendors is certified stacks: software that has been tested for interoperability, with a set of requirements that partners must adhere to for new developments. The first unofficial open-source stack is Lamp, which arose from the popularity of the Linux operating system, the Apache Web server, the MySQL database, and the PHP/Perl/Python programming languages. The problem isn't only making sure the components can work together but that they continue working together as they're updated and changed over time.

"Open source continues to prove its utility in IT environments, but the rocket science needed to put together these different programs has been a problem," says Luke Lonergan, chief technology officer of Greenplum Corp., maker of Bizgres business-intelligence and data-warehousing tools for open-source databases. To create a business-intelligence environment, Greenplum last week introduced a combination of open-source tools, including Bizgres, JasperSoft's JasperReports reporting tools, and KETL, the extract, transform, and load technology from Kinetic Networks.

IT buyers like choice, and they'd like to see open-source as a more-viable option for big businesses. "This can be used as leverage when working with vendors trying to sell products that are similar to what's available in open source," Merrill Lynch's Bauer says. Merrill Lynch uses open-source primarily to run Linux-based servers for number-crunching, Web pages, and infrastructure needs such as E-mail. It also uses the open-source JBoss application server in some cases.

The trick for these burgeoning open-source startups, aggregators, and certifiers is this: Keep the cost savings that drew companies to open source and still provide the needed service level.