A recent ComputerWorld
article describes how Detroit-based
DTE Energy is using an internal open source model to achieve software reuse. Closely related to the open source model, DTE uses an internal "community" based approach to allow their Java developers to collaborate on opportunities for reuse. The article points out that DTE estimates a savings of $75,000 last year by reusing components. This year they estimate that 40% of their application code is in the form of reused components.
DTE gives a good example of how corporations can bring successful open source methodologies in-house to achieve superior development practices and ultimately increased cost savings. I think we're going to be seeing more of these types of successes in the future.
