This answer basically required knowledge of the business model for many open source service providers. In effect, they are buying a supported bundle of Hadoop related technologies that is updated under the terms of the support contract when HWX tests and integrates new releases from the projects (mostly Apache). The key point is that HWX offers what they call a data plane that provides for the integration of "data at rest" and "data in motion" using their pre-configured releases of, respectively, HDP and HDF. The other points to make are the available training and monitored support of operational clusters. HWX differentiates itself from its competitors as the vendor that most closely honors the open-source concept. When they develop tools to enhance their product, they always contribute them to an open source project. They are also the top committer in the various tools that make up the Hadoop ecosystem, and as such are the most prepared to support a clean open-source implementation.