KnowledgeTree Spreads Its ECM Through Open Tech Channel

By Barb Mosher | Published Feb 9, 2010

KnowledgeTree (news, site) is joining Open Tech and taking their document management software to thousands of resellers worldwide.

Open Tech is a new channel created by Tech Data, an IT products distributor. It is designed to support open source ISVs, like KnowledgeTree, by helping them market and sell their solutions to a worldwide market.

KnowledgeTree sees this an opportunity to reach out to resellers who spend their time with customers — SMBs, enterprises, government — who want to use open source solutions.

“Interest in open source will continue to grow as resellers and end users become more aware of open source solutions like KnowledgeTree’s document management software,” said Tech Data Vice President, Software Product Marketing Stacy Nethercoat. “Through Open Tech, Tech Data will work closely with KnowledgeTree to educate resellers and enable them to profitably deliver these solutions to their customers.”

Are the days coming — or are they already here — when we don't have to think of open source separate from proprietary? Do we really need to differentiate between the two? Or can a solution be sold simply on the merits of its functionality alone? Maybe it's too late in the day to have this discussion — what do you think?