Last updated on September 25th, 2024 at 06:39 am
Software. It’s something all businesses need, to some degree, but it can be enormously expensive. If you need lots of kinds of software and need multiple employees to have access, costs can rack up fast. Businesses don’t want that… but sometimes, there are no alternatives.
In some cases, though, you’ll find open-source software available. This costs nothing. It might sound too good to be true. Still, in reality, open-source software can solve many business problems for people across the planet. You won’t have to sign up for expensive packages or pay a premium after your “free trial” ends.
What’s the snag? In many cases, there is no snag. You can use open-source software throughout your company without paying for the privilege. However, it won’t work in all cases. If you need something complex or if you’re looking for something you can modify, paid-for software may be the way to go. That’s true whether you buy something ready-to-use from a company or work with a designer to create your desired piece.
If you’re in a more complex industry and perform specialized tasks, you may need something bespoke. That’s the reality of it. You’ll find open-source tools for all kinds of generic, commonly performed tasks, but when it gets more complex, software tends to come with a price tag attached.
If, for example, you work in health insurance, you might find you’ve got no option but to get bespoke software development done. Yes, it costs, but you probably require niche, complicated products. The person designing them will need to be paid for them.
However, that’s not the case for everyone. Some businesses can happily turn to open-source business intelligence tools for some or all of their software needs. The advantages of doing so are numerous! It’s not just that it’s free. There are many other benefits too, plus some drawbacks. Let’s figure this out.
Pro: Open-Source Can Be More Secure
If you’ve ever heard of the “many eyes” approach, that’s applicable here. So many people use open-source software that bugs and insecurities tend to be noticed quickly. They’re also fixed quickly. This is appealing to a lot of companies that want to maximize their security without having to hire a professional team. If you’re working with an individual programmer to build software, there’s a chance they’ll miss weaknesses. That’s true even if they’re very professional!
Pro: It’s Cheap
This is very obvious, but people often underestimate how much software costs. If you’ve got to buy licenses for every employee, that can rack up fast. You might be looking at tens of thousands of dollars. As the organization grows, the price is only going to go up.
Many pieces of software are also available on subscription only. That might make the up-front costs more palatable, but it’s not ideal in the long term. Covering the costs year after year can be tough.
Open-source software eliminates these issues. Suddenly, you do not have to get a license fee every time you hire someone or guess how many you might need. You do not have to pay annually. Your software scales up with you and doesn’t cost anything. Of course, you might choose to donate to support the developers, but that’s at your discretion.
It’s important to check out the licensing conditions before you plunge in, though. Although open-source software tends to be free, there can be conditions that limit its use and adaptability. Be thorough in your research before you launch!
Con: There’s Less Support
When you buy software from a professional company, one of the things you’re paying for is the support. When the software goes wrong, you can call them and ask for assistance. Their teams should be able to help you solve the issue.
None of that is true for open-source software. To be clear, there are tons of forums and sites where you can get help from other users and even from the makers at times. However, overall, there’s no recourse if open-source software doesn’t do what you were hoping for. There’s also none if it breaks at a crucial time. You’re essentially on your own.
Wrap-up
Open-source software undoubtedly has its place. It’s useful in situations where you need something generic, where you’ve got too many users to pay for something more specialized. But used in the wrong setting, it can hamper or even cripple your business’ functionality.
So, what’s the answer? Assess your business needs carefully and look at the options. If you can see open-source solutions that look promising, try them. If they’re almost right, you can go to a company and say, “Something like this, but with X instead, please.” That’s a great way to start!
Don’t skimp on the software you need; contact experienced developers who can help. It makes all the difference to your options!
Naveen Khanna is the CEO of eBizneeds, a company renowned for its bespoke web and mobile app development. By delivering high-end modern solutions all over the globe, Naveen takes pleasure in sharing his rich experiences and views on emerging technological trends. He has worked in many domains, from education, entertainment, banking, manufacturing, healthcare, and real estate, sharing rich experience in delivering innovative solutions.
