Even though some IT leaders shy away from open-source technology, its origins are rooted in traditional IT processes. Open-source software has come a long way over the years, and the always-active open-source communities are one of the primary reasons for the tech’s success. As a result, more than half of the software acquired over the next several years will be open source, according to industry research. That said, if you're still undecided about the concept—or need to convince your company's influencers about its merits—consider this list of top nine advantages of open source. They were compiled from various online resources, including the Cynapse Community for open source users, developers, enthusiasts and BusinessBee.com, a business-advice site. For more about the Cynapse report, click here. For more about the BusinessBee report, click here.