[An abbreviated version. Click here for the full White Paper (Members only) ]

What it means to be "Open" in today's world of IT is continually changing, not in the least because of the rapid evolution of the technology itself. The time is right to review The Open Group's mission and strategy and adjust its key programs accordingly.

The new internet technologies promise to change the way we live and work, from company intranets through electronic commerce to telemedicine. However, to enable business to extract the full potential of this technology we need a global, information infrastructure that is ubiquitous, trusted, reliable and as easy to use as the telephone. We call this the IT Dialtone and believe it can only emerge through an effective cooperation between suppliers and customers.

The ability to mix and match best of breed technology from multiple vendors to rapidly build solutions to the changing needs of business remains a key requirement. In addition, it is recognised that existing "legacy" systems will stay with us and organizations need a way to protect their investments in these systems and the invaluable information that they contain.

With the IT Dialtone as our vision, The Open Group intends to be instrumental in furthering these objectives, enabling businesses to get maximum value from information systems both within and beyond their organisations. As a trusted, neutral organisation with (thanks to our members) the necessary in-depth technical know-how, The Open Group is ideally placed to lead in the realisation of the IT Dialtone.

Our key task will be to cause the realisation of the IT Dialtone - a viable, global, open information infrastructure. This will be supported by a trusted forum of customers and suppliers and underpinned by a range of cost-effective enabling services such as collaborative development, testing and branding.

To do this, The Open Group must itself adapt by expanding its scope to address the whole challenge and by shifting its role from its former technology focus to become a true forum for information, discussion and resolution. This involves increasing the influence of the "buy-side", reducing financial reliance on a small number of large sponsors aligning its technical programs more closely with the customer and supplier needs that the forum identifies.