Why You Need an Open-Source Software Strategy
An open-source software strategy is only understood by companies that use it and see how much flexibility, efficiency, and innovation it brings to their business.
Open-source software allows software developers to modify, copy, and redistribute the software. It plays a vital role in the software market and grows even more. Only last year, open-source Linux was shown to power 90% of all the public cloud workload, to where its percentage is predicted to increase even more in the next two to three years.
There are countless open-source software that are very popular, including Linux, MySQL, PHP, MEAN, and more. Even most mobile phones around the world use an open-source software which is Android and has over 2.5 billion active users worldwide. In short, it is the software that brings technological innovations to companies.
Furthermore, this article will show exactly why you should consider using open-source software.
Future software is continuing to be open
Open-source software allows software developers to modify, copy, and redistribute the software. It plays a vital role in the software market and grows even more. Only last year, open-source Linux was shown to power 90% of all the public cloud workload, to where its percentage is predicted to increase even more in the next two to three years.
There are countless open-source software that are very popular, including Linux, MySQL, PHP, MEAN, and more. Even most mobile phones around the world use an open-source software which is Android and has over 2.5 billion active users worldwide. In short, it is the software that brings technological innovations to companies.
Furthermore, this article will show exactly why you should consider using open-source software.
Future software is continuing to be open
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More companies each year are beginning to use open-source software to upskill themselves. The increased usage of open-source software is also encouraging employees to participate in more open projects. This also means that companies and organizations using open-source software have to re-think their approach to competitors. In other words, it is a new strategy for the 2020s. |
Enterprise open-source software is also expected to rise by 8% in the next two years. Furthermore, according to RedHat, 86% of respondents claim that the top innovative companies will use open-source software.
The innovation engine with open source involves:
Proprietary software (closed-source) vs. open-source software
If we compare open-source software to proprietary software, there are huge differences between the two. Proprietary software requires you to pay for it, while open source software is offered for free because it doesn't belong to anyone. Additionally, it would even be considered an advantage for marketing teams as well.
However, open-source software doesn't get any support unless it is under a company's license, similar to what you would see with Android. In addition to that, open-source software is public and can be tested much easier than you would do so with proprietary software (closed-source software).
According to research, the overall usage of proprietary software is decreasing year by year. 42% of businesses used it back in 2020, while the percentage rate has now fallen to 32%. That is a 10% decrease in only two years!
The development of open-source software has also made it easier for software developers to find solutions to technical issues that arise, making the software overall easy and reliable to use. Developers find it easier to make open-source software better with new updates over time. Furthermore, many foundations are also supportive of it and here are some of them:
The use of open-source intelligence (OSINT)
The innovation engine with open source involves:
- DevOps: Chef, Cloud foundry, docker, Puppet, and much more
- Machine learning: Tensorflow, PyTorch, Apache MXNet
- Big data: Apache Spark, Hadoop, Cassandra, MongoDB, and more
- Mobile: Android and Apache Cordoba
- Infrastructure software: OpenStack, Ceph, KVM, Linux, and Xen
- Web Development: PHP, Node, js, Eclipse Che, React, AngularJS
Proprietary software (closed-source) vs. open-source software
If we compare open-source software to proprietary software, there are huge differences between the two. Proprietary software requires you to pay for it, while open source software is offered for free because it doesn't belong to anyone. Additionally, it would even be considered an advantage for marketing teams as well.
However, open-source software doesn't get any support unless it is under a company's license, similar to what you would see with Android. In addition to that, open-source software is public and can be tested much easier than you would do so with proprietary software (closed-source software).
According to research, the overall usage of proprietary software is decreasing year by year. 42% of businesses used it back in 2020, while the percentage rate has now fallen to 32%. That is a 10% decrease in only two years!
The development of open-source software has also made it easier for software developers to find solutions to technical issues that arise, making the software overall easy and reliable to use. Developers find it easier to make open-source software better with new updates over time. Furthermore, many foundations are also supportive of it and here are some of them:
- The Eclipse Foundation
- The Linux Foundation
- Apache Software Foundation, and more
The use of open-source intelligence (OSINT)
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Open-source intelligence (OSINT) is a process that involves collecting publicly available information. The main goal of OSINT is to learn more about a user or a company.
99% of data found on the internet can't be accessed from major search engines. The main goal that OSINT researchers are trying to achieve is to combine multiple techniques and tools to gain sources of truth, aka cross-referencing information. |
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Why do you need OSINT tools with open source software?
Tools for OSINT are the most common in the cybersecurity industry, which is used to identify any suspicious hacking activities.
You would be surprised that most journalists, law enforcement agencies, and even private investigators rely on OSINT tools to learn more about suspicious activities regarding crimes, learning about organizations or someone they are trying to gain more information about.
Furthermore, marketers can also use OSINT tools to target users or check if email addresses are real or not.
Here are a few things OSINT can help you within your open-source software regarding fraud detection:
The benefits of using open source software
Here are the many benefits you get by using open-source software.
Security
Tools for OSINT are the most common in the cybersecurity industry, which is used to identify any suspicious hacking activities.
You would be surprised that most journalists, law enforcement agencies, and even private investigators rely on OSINT tools to learn more about suspicious activities regarding crimes, learning about organizations or someone they are trying to gain more information about.
Furthermore, marketers can also use OSINT tools to target users or check if email addresses are real or not.
Here are a few things OSINT can help you within your open-source software regarding fraud detection:
- Accepting transactions through CNP
- Accepting a withdrawal
- Performing credit card checks regarding a loan
The benefits of using open source software
Here are the many benefits you get by using open-source software.
Security
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Suppose we make a short comparison of closed source software versus open source. In this case, there are conflicts regarding uncertainties that some people may have regarding the level of security open source software has.
Most companies using closed source software use pseudo security, believing that no one outside the software development team will know internal secrets. |
The platform will always be secure to use. However, there are continuous online attacks, cracks, and the word "security" is getting harder to back up.
On the other hand, open-source software provides an excellent level of security due to its transparency. Codes revealed to the public are precisely what makes open-source software mysterious and concern people about what the software may contain. Since anyone can test and examine these codes, this is what makes it avoid security weaknesses.
Furthermore, open-source software has a great community of tech-savvy users who continuously detect issues and ensure enhanced security.
Costs
On the other hand, open-source software provides an excellent level of security due to its transparency. Codes revealed to the public are precisely what makes open-source software mysterious and concern people about what the software may contain. Since anyone can test and examine these codes, this is what makes it avoid security weaknesses.
Furthermore, open-source software has a great community of tech-savvy users who continuously detect issues and ensure enhanced security.
Costs
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Open-source software can be seen as an opportunity to make money and greatly reduce costs. Most companies will use open source software only because it is free and allows them to take advantage of lowering costs.
Compared to closed-source software, you pay monthly or yearly to use the software. Let's take Microsoft Windows, for example. It is a closed-source software that requires you to pay a monthly fee. |
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All these charges apply to the continuous maintenance and upgrades you get throughout time.
Even though Microsoft Windows is an excellent closed-source software, many companies don't actually realize that they can get better software for free. Even when you try the software, it is free.
You may be thinking about how developers can achieve offering open-source software for free. Well, cost reductions are possible since developers combine their resources and focus on improving the software instead of being budget-focused. Furthermore, open-source developers also allow external teams to participate in their projects. So, the software is continuously being developed, evaluated, and modified, free of charge!
Customization
Even though Microsoft Windows is an excellent closed-source software, many companies don't actually realize that they can get better software for free. Even when you try the software, it is free.
You may be thinking about how developers can achieve offering open-source software for free. Well, cost reductions are possible since developers combine their resources and focus on improving the software instead of being budget-focused. Furthermore, open-source developers also allow external teams to participate in their projects. So, the software is continuously being developed, evaluated, and modified, free of charge!
Customization
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Now, something else that open-source software offers that you can't find anywhere else is the ability to customize the software. Customization can be important when you are using it to fit the requirements of your business. So, when you work with the right open-source developers, customization can give you an edge over competitors.
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Here are some open-source software's that you can consider using for your business:
Furthermore, the legal freedom it gives you is so good regarding the ability to customize open-source software. With closed-source software, you cannot edit or change codes that will suit your needs; even if you ask for permission, good luck waiting for a response!
With open-source software, all of your modifications to the software are under legal rights. Changes to closed-source software aren't only challenging and may go against your contract that you agreed to when you started using the software.
Customizing software saves you lots of money and the ability to re-visit open source libraries, get ongoing support from online communities who use the software, and develop new technical solutions regarding business requirements and needs.
Wrapping it up
Well, that's about it for this article. Hopefully, now you have a better understanding of why it is essential to consider having open-source software in your business. Remember, even though you may be using closed-source software, it doesn't always mean it is a better option.
This article goes into an in-depth review of the benefits open-source software can provide for your business. We recommend you carefully read through each section and see how you can consider using it if you haven't already.
The quality, costs, and maintenance of software are vital for the success of your business. That is why you should pay great attention to open-source software since it provides all of that!
- Elementary OS: one of the fastest open-source operating systems and a strong competitor against MacOs and Windows.
- LibreOffice: an open-source suite that continuously receives updates to ensure bugs don't arise within the software. LibreOffice is free to use and has a competitive edge over Microsoft Office, which you pay for.
- NextCloud: a self-hosted alternative to one of the best programs like Dropbox and OneDrive. You can integrate many other business applications with NextCloud as it feels similar to using Google Drive.
Furthermore, the legal freedom it gives you is so good regarding the ability to customize open-source software. With closed-source software, you cannot edit or change codes that will suit your needs; even if you ask for permission, good luck waiting for a response!
With open-source software, all of your modifications to the software are under legal rights. Changes to closed-source software aren't only challenging and may go against your contract that you agreed to when you started using the software.
Customizing software saves you lots of money and the ability to re-visit open source libraries, get ongoing support from online communities who use the software, and develop new technical solutions regarding business requirements and needs.
Wrapping it up
Well, that's about it for this article. Hopefully, now you have a better understanding of why it is essential to consider having open-source software in your business. Remember, even though you may be using closed-source software, it doesn't always mean it is a better option.
This article goes into an in-depth review of the benefits open-source software can provide for your business. We recommend you carefully read through each section and see how you can consider using it if you haven't already.
The quality, costs, and maintenance of software are vital for the success of your business. That is why you should pay great attention to open-source software since it provides all of that!
