Open Systems are a feature of life in many respects providing benefits for users in terms of interoperability, and through encouraging and enabling modular system configuration and development leading to performance, cost and schedule benefits. 

This talk will explore examples and ideas based on Atkins’ experience across various market sectors, including defence, and the opportunities, risks, enablers and barriers that lie ahead to achieve greater use of open systems.  It will propose next steps to achieve an optimal use of this approach.