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Open source software is becoming more important to companies as they look for cheaper and more flexible IT solutions, new research suggests.

The Ingres study found that 77 per cent of the businesses surveyed are already using open source software as a crucial part of their IT operations or are planning to do so in the near future.

As well as attracting some users for the flexibility it can offer over licensed software, it seems cost is the concern that weighs most heavily on the minds of business managers.

Indeed, 69 per cent of the respondents said that proprietary software charges are set too high, a particular concern for smaller companies looking to turn a profit without spending excessively on their SME IT services.

"There can be little doubt that open source has now moved out of the basement and into the boardroom. Open source databases, for example, are already delivering real value in some of the world's most demanding and sensitive environments - from military, police and air-traffic control systems right through to telecommunications, utilities and financial services," said Brian Mort, a senior vice president at Ingres.

"To do so, open source had to grow up and offer the highest levels of service, support, security and enterprise-grade reliance, on top of the well documented business model flexibility and collaborative nature of product development," he added.

According to a recent survey by Connect, the two biggest IT headaches for businesses were 'everyday hassles with IT' (37 per cent) and 'security concerns' (32 per cent)