Anyone who wants to introduce software has an important question:
Open source or commercial software?
Basically, it is important to think carefully about what you want to use the software for, because choosing the right software for your business is a long-term decision. If a company makes the wrong choice, it often leads to significantly higher development costs and reduced flexibility, both of which can be long-lasting.
The goal of this blog is to show you why opting for free software can be a good choice.
What exactly is open source?
The term "open source", also known as "free software", means that the source code of software is open and freely accessible, and that it is allowed to be used. It is therefore possible to modify open source programs yourself, adapt them to your own needs, and then redistribute them.
Open source is not necessarily free, but many open source programs are made available for free. Professional features can be offered for a fee, with extensions and support. The term "free", in this context of "free software", therefore refers more to freedom of use.
There is no exclusive right to the software, which is subject to constant control and improvement.
"There is more happiness in giving than in receiving!"
Open source works on this principle. Anyone who uses open source shouldn't just take — they should also share their knowledge with the open-source community!
The benefits of open source
Over the past decade, the adoption of open source software has grown successfully at the enterprise level, as more and more companies are discovering the significant advantages of open source solutions over their own proprietary solutions.
Companies that want to use open source software intelligently find many good reasons to do so. Here are some of them:
Secure
High safety standards; Security vulnerabilities are fixed more quickly.
Scalable
Scalability from single-user versions to enterprise networks.
High quality
Open source stands for proven, reliable, and high-quality software.
Innovative
Rapid and continuous development of the software by the community.
Transparent
Open source code, guaranteeing maximum transparency and trust in the software.
Future-proof
Rapid and continuous development of the software by the community.
Myths about open source
Let's shed some light on the subject...
In Africa, the use of open source software is not yet as widespread as in other continents. Although the situation has improved significantly in recent years and the support of users and decision-makers continues to grow, prejudices often persist.
When it comes to free software, there are many different sources of information. Some of this information is reliable and trustworthy, while others can be somewhat misleading. Far too often, we hear that free software is only developed by amateur programmers in dark basements, as part of a hobby project, or that it is not secure because its source code is freely accessible. This is how the fear of hackers grows.
Since open source is still the subject of a critical eye, it is easy to understand that the subject of free software can be confusing and that you are not sure if open source is the right solution for your company. So let's try to shed some light on this issue and debunk some of these myths.
Myth No. 1: Open source is not secure
The truth about the security of any type of software, whether open source or not, is that it can be good or bad depending on how it was developed. Open source can be more secure than proprietary software. Open source benefits from a community that is interested in its development. Project leaders rely on a broader knowledge base, each of which contributes to the overall quality and safety of the project. When it comes to security, the priority is to always protect data, and since the source code is freely distributed, everyone can help secure it.
Myth No. 2: Open source costs nothing
t's a misconception to believe that open source is always free. Open source is first of all free, because the source code can be copied, accessed and modified. In general, basic apps are free for users. However, specific changes that go beyond these basic features are sold as paid licenses.
Myth No. 3: Open source is a law, licensing, and copyright nightmare
How can something be both open and protected? A little conundrum, isn't it? Open source uses a multitude of licenses that make the project available to the public while benefiting from the legal protection of copyrights and patents.
The concept of open source protection is based on the fact that, if the source code of a given program is made public, the program itself is subject to certain licenses to ensure that it is protected against theft. Some licenses give you a lot of creative freedom when it comes to code, but at the end of the day, it's up to you to understand what you can and can't do, what you should and shouldn't do.
Myth No. 4: There is no support for open source
When we think about this misunderstanding in view of the size of the open source community (spoiler alert: this is a global movement), it is difficult to understand where it comes from. Support for open source software works differently than what we're used to with other types of technical support for commercial software.
In reality, open source software gives you more options for support, as help can come from anywhere in the world. The best way to describe technical support in the field of open source would be to say, "The world is a village..." ", because developers help each other.
Myth No. 5: Open source is not enterprise software
What exactly is enterprise software? A simple definition of enterprise software is that of a stable product that meets the needs and requirements of a large enterprise.
The open-source license determines how your company uses the software, and business-friendly tools, such as JavaScript, SQL, etc., are common in open-source projects. Similarly, scalability is easy to achieve in open-source projects.
Is Odoo open source?
Yes and no:
- Yes, because the community version of Odoo, which is the core software of Odoo, is open source; This version is freely available and can be downloaded through the GitHub Repositoire of Odoo
- No, because the enterprise version of Odoo, which is more suitable for enterprise use, offers additional functions for which you have to pay a license - see Odoo Enterprise Pricing
Is SAP open source?
No. To use SAP software, you have to pay a license, the price of which depends on the modules you want to use - contact us for a quote
Interested in SAP or Odoo licenses?
ERGOBIT offers you Odoo and SAP licenses at more favorable conditions than buying directly from the publisher.
Beyond the simple acquisition of licenses, ERGOBIT advises you and implements your ERP solution in accordance with your individual requirements. For details, see ourIT intégration serivces
Key tke away
A professional use of Odoo or SAP goes beyond the question of open-source or not. All modern ERP software offers options for integration with third-party software (APIs), expansion, modification and adaptation to individual business needs.
The professional use of SAP or Odoo software requires the payment of licenses.
Therefore, the relevant question is not whether open source or not, but rather what your company receives in return for the price of the license.
In the coming days and weeks, ERGOBIT will publish a series of blogs aimed at answering this essential question.
Open Source Software