Reasons Open Source Software is Perfect for Business Growth

Open source is becoming increasingly popular, with 77% of 2,660 respondents admitting they have increased the use of open source software in their companies over the last 12 months, according to Open Source Initiative’s latest survey. In a business environment driven by fast-moving technology, finding the right software solutions for small businesses is crucial for growth and success. And while investing in commercial or proprietary software always seems ideal, many businesses, including Fortune 500 companies, are turning to open source software. 

One of the most notable benefits of open source software is affordability. Compared to commercial software, you can access open source business software at cheap prices or at no cost. Read on to understand other reasons open source software is perfect for business growth. 

Increased Flexibility and Agility

Many businesses are embracing the use of open source software, as it improves the flexibility and agility needed to stay ahead of the competition. Unlike proprietary software, open source apps are easy to customize. This means businesses can remove or add features of your desired software based on your organizational needs. Not to mention, you don’t need permission, because of the non-vendor lock-in feature of open source. Given open source apps are easy to scale as the business grows, your organization can respond quickly to industry changes and consumer needs. 

Sustainability and Professional Support

Open source evolves constantly, as the network of developers is always analyzing code and app designs, then adding new features that align with changing industry trends like sustainability. When using open source business tools, you don’t need to change programs or apps because developers stay up-to-date with upgrades, thus saving your company resources. Besides sustainability, open source software developers provide unlimited support to ensure smooth operations. 

In most cases, developers provide online guides and training to help users understand the functionalities of different software. For example, if you’re using MariaDB’s open source database, you can quickly create tables or work on queries after reading tutorials online. Studying MariaDB insert multiple rows free online tutorial, for instance, helps you insert multiple rows in a table using syntax. You’ll also learn how to work with duplicate key updates when working on multiple rows and insert rows from a table with ease. 

Information Security

Many businesses are afraid to invest in open source due to their public nature. However, open source guarantees reliability and security. That’s because open source software code undergoes thorough review, testing, and modification by hundreds of software developers. This security measure helps users identify and report viruses and other vulnerabilities quickly.

Although hackers have the freedom to access open source code, attempts to steal business data or compromise software functionality are prevented by a network of developers. Improved software security means reduced downtime for your business as there will be no need to deal with data loss or check for viruses and other open source software related issues. Since developers are always hands-on to fix bugs and prevent vulnerabilities, using open source can boost the effectiveness of software and employee efficiency. 

Lower Ownership Costs

Running a business in the modern world is expensive because every decision that has a great impact on success, like software, must be a financial one. For example, when shopping for closed source software solutions, businesses must choose between commercial (freemium plans) or monthly subscription packages. While freemium software plans seem affordable, advanced features are locked behind a paywall. This means you’ll pay more, in the long run, to access features your small business needs to grow. 

For small and medium enterprises running on a tight budget, open source software is an affordable choice. You’ll enjoy access to all software features without worrying about initial download or installation fees. However, it’s crucial to understand the total cost of owning open source software because there are expenses you’ll incur. For instance, you need to pay for licensing, training in-house staff on how to use your preferred software, and support services. 

Integrated Management

When designing open source software, developers focus on the needs of a larger audience. So, open source software packages are not always a perfect fit for your organization. Fortunately, the open source software design is customizable and compatible with other business tools. 

Because open source software leverages technologies like web-based Enterprise Management (WBEM) and common information model (CIM), integration management becomes easy. You can integrate open source software with servers, service and workstation management, and other business apps. Integrating open source software with other business tools helps improve efficiency while reducing operational costs. 

Guarantees Transparency

Open software isn’t only simple and affordable, but also transparent. The transparency and collaborative nature of open source applications help instill confidence in the current digital infrastructure. Remember, when businesses buy open source software, they can view the code and even share ideas on how to improve the performance of the software. The unlimited access to open source code ensures there are no backdoors or hidden agendas linked to the software. 

There are several advantages linked to open source software transparency, such as improved collaboration, internal communication, and flexibility. Open source software is developed by a group of professionals, mostly strangers who work together towards a common goal of making business apps better. Through collaboration, developers can easily find possible solutions to problems such as fixing bugs, enhancing workflows, and adding features. 

Developers also make changes to software performance quickly and provide updates freely to users. Businesses can leverage the transparency in open source code software to improve collaboration and promote two-way communication within the organization. Encouraging teams to share ideas, give feedback, and collaborate, boosts productivity and ensures team members use resources wisely and practice flexibility. 

Attracts Talent

Attracting and hiring new talent can be challenging for startups, especially software companies. Hiring becomes even more complex when businesses rely on proprietary software built internally. In this digital age, young employees don’t want to invest hours or days learning how to navigate conventional software. They want software they can use with ease and even customize features to suit their specific needs based on the task at hand. If your organization has a track record of embracing open source software and standards, you’ll attract the best talent out there. 

The demand for open source software is surging and will continue to grow as more businesses realize its benefits. Compared to commercial software, getting a license for open source business tools is cheap. Some software developers also offer open source apps at no cost. Other reasons businesses are shifting to open source software include improved information security, reliability, sustainability, agility, and unlimited user support.