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Should I FOSS??

Free and open source software (FOSS) is software which grants the right of users to review, change, and enhance its functionality through the availability of its source code. As discussed in my earlier blog on this topic, Build vs. Buy vs. Download, FOSS has gained both momentum and acceptance as the potential benefits have been increasingly recognized by both individuals and corporate players in past few years. In the current markets, FOSS can provide unique strategic advantage to the organizations.

The following key are some drivers which make FOSS alternative, very attractive and too good to pass up:
·          Lower cost of acquisition
·          Access to libraries of common code of the applications
·          Freedom from specific vendor lock-ins
·          Ability to contribute to and control the pace of releases
·          Community driven support
·          Reduced cost of additional deployments

Come think about the it, the selection and evaluation process for the FOSS vs closed software would be based on similar set of parameters. Without sounding too simplistic, we will need to first check the fitment of the software to the functional needs. The maturity of the software to provide acceptable risk/reward based the adoption profile of the organization (early adopter, mainstream or a late adopter) could be a an important criteria. The deployment scenarios (mission critical or non-mission critical) for the application can be critical to see if the software fits the needs. So, while the evaluation parameters may not be  much different; there may be need to evaluate other risks which may not be part of a closed source software evaluation. Organizations must understand and evaluate the risks involved in open source software acquisition and manage them carefully. There could be various strategic risks associate with the maturity level of the software, support and systems integrations issues, licensing, copy right infringement and total cost of ownership and various tactical and operational issues including lack of documentation, security loop holes in the code which needs proper verifying and checking the integrity of the code and many others. TCO of OSS adoption may vary depending on whether the software is commercial or freely distributed open source software and other implications like the costs of migration, availability of skills internally within the organization.

One key challenge seems to lack of or limited oversight of the open source usage and deployment in organization which is leading to some of the operational risks. The key to the success of the adoption is to instituting enterprise wide governance for OSS adoption. There should be clear approach to usage of licenses and mechanisms for approval and compliance process to avoid litigational risks.

We have seen that there are some really tangible key benefits and yes, there are some risks with the same.

so, now let me ask you - Do you want to FOSS???

Posted by Srinivas Prabhala on November 11, 2008 03:18 AM |

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Comments

Srinivas,

I agree with your opinion about Open Source software. They are a great option to pursue in a tough market environment.

Posted by: jaya | November 16, 2008 03:07 PM

Well FOSS has to be encouraged for the simple fact that the levels of productivity will shoot up if FOSS comes into play. This is because emerging firms in the IT business as well as people who didn't matter much like individuals who work freelance or even students for that matter, they shall be able to leverage and even improve technology with an open source model. Things that are made in black box do have replicas in FOSS. The functionalities are as striking as could be possible. Then why not encourage FOSS, build value added tools over it. May be companies could make black box plugins or tools for a FOSS platform. We could have a technological makeover with this business model. It will be a business model where every one could play a role. Starting from young IT aspirants to big teams in a IT firm. Its like "Give a stage to everyone for free. Let them perform on that stage and we pay them for their performance and not the stage!"

Posted by: Krishnakumar R Iyer | November 17, 2008 09:31 AM

Krishna,

I really like your analogy of giving an equal opportunity on the stage and letting the FOSS players win us over with their performance.

I agree with your comments on the rise in productivity by using FOSS.

Posted by: Srinivas Prabhala | November 17, 2008 01:27 PM

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