Microsoft has changed its perspective on open source software and now supports open source models and ecosystems. It competes with open source products as it does any other competing products. Microsoft promotes customer choice by participating in ecosystems that include both open source and proprietary software. Microsoft engages with the open source community through partnerships, communities, technology research, and commitments to transparency and innovation. However, open source software is not always the best solution and different types of software and different stakeholder needs must be considered to determine what solution provides the best value.