From OpenBRR

The taxonomy used by IDC (see [1] and note the table of contents) has been suggested. Its use has not yet been approved by IDC, but a request is pending. A benefit of using their scheme is that it would not need to be re-invented, and by reference to this well-known consulting group the taxonomy already carries some credibility.

In the meantime, comments are solicited as to the adequacy of this model for categorizing open source software packages. Please note that a separate page (see Proposed Taxonomy Ref 1) has been posted to reflect changes needed to the taxonomy documented below prior to use within OpenBRR. Therefore, if you would like to make changes, please do so to that document rather than this.

(From the above public URL); the main categories are Applications, Application Development and Deployment, and System Infrastructure Software, with additional entries for each of these three main categories for newer types of software:

Software Taxonomy from IDC – 2005 Version

• Applications
  • Consumer Applications
    • Consumer Software
  • Collaborative Applications
    • Integrated Collaborative Environments
    • Messaging Applications
      • Standalone Email Applications
      • Instant Messaging Applications
      • Unified Messaging Applications
      • Other Messaging Applications
    • Team Collaborative Applications
    • Conferencing Applications
    • Other Collaborative Applications
  • Content Applications
    • Content Management
    • Authoring Software
    • Translation/Globalization
  • Enterprise Resource Management Applications
    • Financial Applications
      • Accounting
      • Treasury Management
    • Human Capital Management
      • eRecruiting
      • Incentive Management
      • HR Performance Management
      • Workforce Management
    • Payroll
    • Procurement
    • Order Management
    • Business Performance Management and Financial Analysis
    • Project Management
    • Enterprise Asset Management
  • Supply Chain Management Applications
    • Logistics
    • Production Planning
    • Inventory Management
  • Operations and Manufacturing Applications
    • Services Operations Management
    • Manufacturing
    • Other Back Office
  • Engineering Applications
    • Mechanical Computer-Assisted Design
    • Mechanical Computer-Assisted Engineering
    • Mechanical Computer-Assisted Manufacturing
    • Product Information Management
    • Other Engineering
  • Customer Relationship Management Applications
    • Sales
    • Marketing
    • Customer Service
    • Contact Center
• Application Development and Deployment
  • Information and Data Management Software
    • Relational Database Management Systems
    • Pre- and Postrelational DBMS
    • Object-Oriented DBMS
    • XML Database Management Systems
    • End-User DBMSs
    • Data Management Facilities
    • Data Movement and Replication Software
    • Data Connectivity Software
  • Application Development Software
    • Unified Development Environments
    • Third-Generation Language Tools
    • Software Construction Components
    • Analysis, Modeling, and Design Tools
    • Web Site Design/Development Tools
  • Application Life-Cycle Management
    • Automated Software Quality Tools
    • Software Configuration Management Tools
  • Application Deployment Software
    • Application Server Software Platforms
    • Integration Server Software Platforms
    • Message-Oriented Middleware
    • Transaction Server Middleware
    • Web Server Software
    • Application Deployment Adapters/Connectors
  • Other Development Tools
    • Other Programmer Development Tools and Utilities
  • Information Access and Delivery Software
    • End-User Query, Reporting, and Analysis
    • Data Mining Software
    • Packaged Data Mart/Data Warehouse Products
    • Technical Data Analysis
    • Spatial Information Management Software
    • Enterprise Portals
    • Content Access Tools
• System Infrastructure Software
  • System and Network Management Software
    • Event Automation Tools
    • Job Scheduling Tools
    • Output Management Tools
    • Performance Management Software
    • Change and Configuration Management Software
    • Problem Management Software
    • Network and Service Management Software
  • Security Software
    • Identity and Access Management
    • Threat Management Software
    • Secure Content Management
    • Security and Vulnerability Management Software
    • Other Security Software
  • Storage Software
    • Backup and Archive Software
      • Archive and HSM
      • Backup and Recovery
    • Storage Replication Software
    • Storage Resource Management Software
      • Capacity, Quota, and Resource Management
      • Device and SAN Management
      • Storage Policy and Automation Software
      • Virtualization and Volume Management
    • File System Software
    • Other Storage Software
  • Networking Software
    • Enterprise Connectivity Software
    • Remote Control Software
  • System Software
    • Operating Systems and Subsystems
    • Clustering and Availability Software
    • Virtual User Interface Software
    • Virtual Machine Software
    • Other System Software
• Emerging Categories of Software
  • Emerging Applications-Based
    • Data Warehousing Tools and Analytic Applications
    • Knowledge Management Software
    • Enterprise Resource Planning Applications
    • Supplier Relationship Management Applications
    • Product Life-Cycle Management Applications
  • Emerging Application Development and Deployment Software
    • Integration Software
      • Data Integration Software
      • Business Process Automation Deployment Software
      • Access, Platform, and Other Integration Software
    • Embedded Database Management Systems
    • Metadata Definition and Management Software
    • Service Oriented Architecture and Web Services
      • Service Oriented Architecture
      • Web Services Architecture
      • Services-Oriented Management
  • Emerging System Infrastructure Software
    • PC and Device Management Software
      • IT Asset Management Software
      • Software Distribution
      • Settings and Configuration Management Software
      • PC Backup Software
    • Mobile and Device System Software
    • Mobile Security Software
    • Mobile Middleware and Infrastructure Software