The company is based on the notion that open source software provides high levels of reliability, faster development, lower overhead, and closer customer relations. However, people such as John Ousterhout of Scriptics Corp. have noted that "Free Software Needs Profit" in order to bridge the gap between the needs addressed by the developers and the risk averse needs of mainstream users. In particular, it needs better documentation, tutorials, professional support, usability engineering, easier installation, etc. (Also see Frank Hecker's paper, "Setting Up Shop: The Business of Open-Source Software".)

Our mission is to address the needs of the average risk-averse user, while continuing to develop innovative and robust open source software. Revenues earned through sales of commercial versions and support of open source software aid the development of "less interesting" aspects such as documentation and product "bells and whistles". We believe that through such an approach, both open source and commercial communities benefit.