Open systems environment

Overview
An open systems environment is

"[a] comprehensive set of interfaces, services, and supporting formats, plus user aspects for interoperability or for portability of applications, data, or people, as specified by information technology standards and profiles. An open platform is composed of hardware and software components that adhere to common standards and are non-proprietary such that multiple vendors can supply these components interchangeably. In an open platform, components from multiple vendors using different technological approaches may be assembled and interoperability across products can be ensured. The objective of an open platform is to achieve vendor independence and allow easy transition to emerging technologies."