Microsoft Opens Up Code-Sharing

Under the new Systems Integrator Source Licensing Program, enterprise integrators will have access to the Windows code to help support customers. As part of the Shared Source Initiative unveiled last May, select customers, governments and large OEMs have access to the operating system's source code.

Avanade (a joint venture of Microsoft and Accenture), Compaq Global Services and Unisys will be among the first integrators given access to the Windows code.

Compaq Global Services plans to use the access to troubleshoot and improve system performance and capacity planning for enterprises, said Rick Friccione, vice president of Microsoft services at Compaq.

"Ninety-five percent of the time you never require access to the source code, and we would never modify it," he said. "However, Compaq gets involved in a lot of high-performance computing situations, and 5 percent to 10 percent of the time, you'll need to pull out every tool in the bag."

Bob Lytle, vice president of technology at Dewpoint, a Lansing, Mich.-based Web integrator, said source-code access is more important for product developers than integrators. "You don't do any crazy source-code work because you run the risk of leaving the client with custom code that's a problem over time," he said.

Yet some industry analysts say the first integrators granted access to the Windows source code may hold an unfair advantage because they can offer better support and service than smaller solution providers.

"There will be some small specialists/consultants that will have to work through their client to get access and, if the project demands it, even a small systems integrator should be able to get what they need," said Rob Enderle, an analyst at research firm Giga Information Group. "But they will clearly be at an increased disadvantage for large projects that need source access," he said.