This IDC study presents the worldwide open source services forecast for 2007–2011 and includes a segmentation of the open source service opportunity in the United States. This study updates the assumptions related to the forecast, summarizes market trends, and analyzes what has changed in the market since last year's forecast. In addition, this study provides recommendations for service firms competing in the open source services market.

"The open source services opportunity is closely aligned with the increased use of open source software," said Gard Little, program manager for Emerging Services Opportunities at IDC. "The size of the open source services market is small today, but the growth rates are three times that of the overall IT services industry. Customers, product and service providers, and investors are increasingly aware of the service opportunities around open source software. Each group is updating its strategy and decision making around how to maximize the economic benefits of open source services."