Business Case for Open Standards

Erik Sliman

2/19/2008
(Original Publish Date: 5/9/2002)

Open standards begin when a collaboration of interested parties results in a consensus on specifications for implementing common requirements. They permit open access for anyone desiring to utilize the results in a way that enables conformity across implementations. While open standards describe openness in both the standards setting process as well as access to the specifications, industry de facto and government-led standardization alternatives are less open. The choice to use open standards over the alternatives can improve one's ability to realize common objectives.