A census which aims to gather hard statistics on the use of open-source software in business begins today.

The Open Source Census, run by vendor OpenLogic, provides a tool that scans users' computers for open-source software and anonymously uploads the data to a census record site.

Corporates can download the tool and use it to find out how much open-source software is running on their systems. "Each participant can access an inventory of their own open-source use," said the Open Source Census.

This level of data can be tough to obtain through traditional survey techniques such as questioning chief information officers about software, according to IDC analyst Matthew Lawton.

"This type of census approach, to scan computers and obtain a complete list of what has been loaded on those computers, is a fundamentally more sound way to measure the amount of open-source software," he said.

Software group the Apache Foundation and Tony Wasserman, director of the software management program at Carnegie Mellon University's West Coast campus, are acting as advisers to the project.