Finally, releasing code empowers programmers and gives them a sense of ownership. This builds developer loyalty. Consequently, open source transforms companies' relationships with partners, customers, and even competitors. Typically, companies that give away their code generate revenue through added services or related proprietary software and hardware offerings. However, new avenues for reaping profits from open source are emerging Companies can charge users for documentation, support, and software license sales of their branded version of the software.
Companies can charge users for integration, customization, and consulting services.
Most obvious, companies can use open source to rapidly increase market share and then layer additional proprietary software, hardware, and integration services revenue into that increased market. Many executives don't understand how to build a business model around open-source practices and principles. Even those who recognize the value in open source have lingering concerns and confusion about what steps to take when releasing code and joining the open-source community. This confusion has created a niche for service providers that specialize in helping companies execute on open-source initiatives. Open source is shaking up the development and sale of software across all industries.