Open source software development model works by harnessing collaboration between developers, each contributing in their own niche, using and developing well docuemnted open standards.

• Open Source reduces vendor dependency or lock-in.
  Since the software source is openly available, if the original vendor were to stop support, others may take their place. It also allows ability to build inhouse support.
• Based on open standards.
  Apart from sources being free, open source based solutions are typically based on open standards.
• Less vulnerable to security.
  Since the sources are open, the security policies are more widely and publicly reviewed.
• Modularity allows you to choose best in class.
  There is immense competition among open source developers. Quite often multiple and compatible choices are available for the same solution.
• High quality
  Open source, though of a lower cost, are quite often superior in quality to paid software. There are many reasons including the published quality standards that are followed, easy review of source by others and more importantly the many people who download it and test it. Software companies hire many testers to test their software. Open source software developers use their users who volunteer to test latest features.