Nowadays there are multiple reasons that we could include in this post for a company to choose an open source solution for its IT infrastructures.
But why do companies increasingly choose an open source solution? In this article, we will explore the ten key advantages of using an open source solution that we consider most relevant. Although cost is an undeniably important reason in business decisions, we chose to address it at the bottom of the list. This is because, while it is a significant factor for decision-makers, we want to emphasise that it is not the only reason to consider when choosing open source solutions.
Reasons to choose an Open Source solution
1. Quality
As open source projects become more popular, more people contribute to improving stability, finding and fixing bugs and improving the interface.
2. Features
At a high level of maturity, open source solutions already cover all the features that proprietary solutions can cover.
3. Security and transparency
Security in the open source environment has matured significantly. By allowing constant review of source code by the community, vulnerabilities can be identified and corrected in a timely manner. In addition, the transparency inherent in open source allows organisations to audit the software themselves, increasing confidence in the security of the system.
4. Fast renewal
Open source developers do not start from scratch, but improve, renew or innovate on an existing common base. The difference is that traditional software vendors create and develop their products from scratch and “in-house”, while in open source you can rely on a solution to improve it and tailor it to your needs.
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5. Scalability
The substantial difference between traditional proprietary software and open source projects, in terms of scalability, lies in their approach. While proprietary software tends to be targeted at a specific market segment, open source solutions are “built” based on customer requirements. This inherent adaptability of open source solutions allows for a more precise adjustment to the changing needs of organisations as they grow and evolve.
Open source solutions also stand out for their iterative development approach. This approach allows for constant renewal and gradual improvement in the functionality and performance of solutions. Unlike the rigid release cycles common in proprietary software, open source solutions have the flexibility to evolve continuously. This agility translates into the rapid addition of new features, performance improvements and bug fixes in direct response to changing market demands and user needs.
6. Customisation
The most obvious advantage. Having access to the code allows you much greater freedom in tailoring your solutions. Organisations can tailor the software to fit their specific workflows and requirements exactly. This not only translates into greater operational efficiency, but also drives internal innovation by allowing companies to create unique solutions that align perfectly with their business objectives.
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7. Collaboration
Open source facilitates the process because it allows competing companies to collaborate with each other, which saves time and money when working on the same project.
8. Standards
Open source solutions tend to follow industry standards rather than focus on commercial agendas. This reduces dependency on individual vendors and avoids vendor lock-in, which is often associated with proprietary solutions. The adoption of intelligent standards also promotes interoperability and seamless integration with other solutions, resulting in greater flexibility and efficiency.
9. Innovation
Open source used to lag behind proprietary software and today it not only sets the trend but proprietary software itself, in many cases, follows open source. The cloud, mobility, Big Data, the Internet of Things and the Web itself are all driven by high-profile open source projects. Even in the most advanced technologies, such as virtual reality, the main competitors in virtual platforms are open source.
10. Cost
Between the purchase price of the software itself, the exorbitant cost of virus protection, support costs, upgrade costs and the costs associated with being locked in, proprietary software is costing companies more than it may seem. Open source presents a better ability to adapt costs and allows the solution to be tested internally before disbursement.
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