Open Source – generating an economic value of 8.8 trillion USD
The Foundation for Collaboration and Transformation
A recent study of the Harvard Business School reveals that open-source software generates an economic value of 8.8 trillion USD — more than three times the global annual software spending of 3.4 trillion USD. With nearly 3,000 open-source developers forming the digital backbone of the global economy, it is proven that open source has become indispensable for industries worldwide. For companies, the advantages are clear:
- Reduced costs through the reuse of existing components.
- Full transparency and security thanks to open code and mandatory security checks.
- Continuous maintenance driven by active communities like those under the Eclipse Foundation.
Open source enables collaborative innovation, allowing organizations to invest once and benefit continuously from the collective contributions of the community. By building on a reusable and shared technology base, companies significantly reduce development and integration costs while ensuring long-term scalability. Vendor-neutral licenses further secure quality, interoperability, and flexibility.
For Catena-X, open source is more than a technical choice – it is a foundation. The Catena-X software stack is developed openly and transparently within the Eclipse Tractus-X community. This ensures that all participants benefit from secure, interoperable, and scalable solutions from day one. At the same time, it fosters collaboration across companies, industries, and national boundaries – essential for building trusted data spaces and accelerating digital transformation. By relying on open source, Catena-X creates an even playing field for all participants and unlocks the full potential of radical collaboration.
Check out the Eclipse Tractus-X community and become part of something bigger.