To cite an example of its unwavering promise, enterprises can always look at Google and RedHat as just two of the well known proponents of open source software. But considering that we are an SMB-dominated dog-eat-dog environment, what is the true value of the open source software? Are there risks to integrating open source codes to your system?
WHY USE OPEN SOURCE?
Open source's very own openness has attracted companies from various industries like manufacturing, customer service, health care, retail and even the government.
Although reasons for deployment depend on the type of business and its main purpose of implementation, undeniably, one of the most outstanding factors for companies--especially for start-ups-- is the fact that it is "free of cost." Mosbeau Senior IT Supervisor, Erwin John Monfero, roughly compares an open source software with a proprietary software. Monfero shares a proprietary software can cost a company Php 40,000 more, while an open source software, with equal capabilities, can be obtained for free. At Value Care Health Systems, open source has spared them from annual license fees and other technical fees. "We have used open source for three years already," says Information and Communication Technology Manager, Jeffrey B. Copiaco. Government is also benefitting from open source. Philippine National Police, Police Senior Inspector and Chief of Web Services and Cyber Security Division, Engr. Allan S. Cabanlong, finds open source software as "the most cost-effective strategy in developing web application systems." "As we all know, limited budget is one of the predicaments that our government is facing with IT systems; that is why we opted to take advantage of the open source technologies in order to support the development of all of our web and online applications."
However, in several cases, "cost is not the only factor, in fact most of the time cost is totally not the factor," stresses RedHat Asean General Manager, Damien Wong. Open source does not only mean it is available to the public for free consumption, but also, it means having a flexible tool for application and web development. As software developers and companies' IT teams work on different projects, they can leverage on this backbone to produce a competitive and reliable application. "The game has changed; we are no longer dictated by our dependencies on products of private software companies," explains Orange & Bronze Vice President for Consulting Services, Mike Mallete. "Knowledge is very much accessible as well on a global scale. I don't see any company not benefiting from that."
Cabanlong shares that this exact freedom is what their IT team is enjoying. "Our team can redesign the source codes according to what we want to achieve," he says.
Millions of developers, companies and even individuals globally have been following this idea, so much so that open source is already considered as an open community, a group of people who collaborates to the success of various software, applications and other projects. "You get to interact and advance your knowledge and enhance your projects," shares Mallete. Faster knowledge gain, ability to reuse common components and better productivity are just some of what Mallete names as the benefits of utilizing open source technologies.
Various open source users, regardless of expertise, get these benefits as they can always have feedback from the community and assure the quality of codes that they have. "You get to learn from what you see," adds Mallete.
This fact alone "gives more options for developers and consumers," says Google Executive Chairman, Eric Schmidt. He cites that the entire open source community "has produced over 500,000 apps and grown into an entire industry." A Google spokesperson furthers that in light of pushing open source further, they believe that the existence of "Chrome browser has helped increase the pace of HTML5, [it] being available for developers to use in their sites. And the Page Speed service helps developers better optimize their website content and improve the speed of their sites."
DOWNSIDES OF ITS OPENNESS
But free as it is, it may just be impossible not to have drawbacks. Different enterprises, especially locally, are still facing varying challenges in fully utilizing these source codes into their applications. Open source's general accessibility can be a double-edged sword, both being an advantage and a disadvantage. "The various open source software licenses can be a limitation in specific cases," admits Mallete. "One disadvantage is that a lot of open source software projects are already controlled by private entities. There will be times their direction will not jive with yours." Copiaco agrees, saying that not all projects are applicable to open source software. "There are some projects that need open source, and there are some that are not applicable," he states. There are also instances when "the community of developers in the open source software you subscribed to won't anymore provide support to the source code," relates Cabanlong.
But Mallete advices that open source users can always "find alternative OSS projects with friendlier licenses appropriate for your business." He adds that there may always be instances that "competitors will have equal access to OSS."
To be more aggressive, "you have to make sure you have a secret sauce on top of these stacks," he stresses.
CALL FOR INCREASED AWARENESS
Meanwhile, Wong insists that the "negative points come from lack of awareness and understanding." Looking at the local perspective, Mallete feels likewise. "I perceive the local IT industry is taking too long a time realizing these opportunities," he says. "We have to understand, the barrier has been lowered. And we can compete on a global scale without friction."
Working on a branch of government's IT systems, Cabanlong agrees to the fact that the local industry needs more knowledgeable people on the open source software. The shortage of experts in this arena is but one of the glimmering challenges in creating open source-based applications. "We need more developers who are properly oriented with the open source systems," he underscores. "Administering and developing open source systems need highly technical skills." "What I would suggest to aspiring open source participants, is to espouse the value of the open source community which relies in openness, sharing and collaboration," advices RedHat's Wong. "This is a virtuous cycle; the more you share, the more you learn."
"We need to enable the building of these kinds of communities in society, not just at a corporate level. We need to allow people to come together so they can learn, collaborate and innovate in a decentralized manner," seconds Schmidt.
Despite whatever challenges, Monfero shares that they will continue to "maximize the use of open source technology by migrating non-open source system to open source systems."
Copiaco also affirms that they never run out of projects aligned with open source. "It's a continuous learning process." The value of having an open platform with an equally open community that is willing to share the tricks of the trade seems to be the formula of enterprises' success in using this technology. With this alone, it surely won't go away soon.
Google's Schmidt, being in a company who is successful in implementing open source, can't imagine IT without an open and flexible source. "Without openness, consumers lose the beauty of choice. Companies get complacent. Societies lose the dynamics that lead to innovation," he imparts. "Openness is here to stay."