linux christmasMost companies started using open source to simply get things done faster or to save money, but savings aren’t the only reason they’re opting for an open-source approach. The decision to go with open source delivers a wide variety of benefits:

Cost savings. Open-source software offers radically different economics than the previous generations of expensive and proprietary software products. By lowering the capital expense of deployment, companies can free up substantial capital that can be channelled into operational expenses. Open source can also provide more choice of support, from communities and bulletin boards to comprehensive subscription services. And the new generation of eager, savvy developers coming out of universities, the ones software vendors and enterprises alike are hiring, have cut their teeth on open source and use it almost exclusively.

Early access. Open-source products are available without barriers and provide access to source code, enabling developers in enterprises to bring in open-source solutions to meet business requirements at minimal cost. Because the software can be downloaded and used immediately and without obligation, organizations can often prototype or even build working systems in the time it normally would take to write an RFP and negotiate a proprietary license. Open-source products are also attractive to developers and enterprises because they provide easy access to leading-edge technologies, which are fully supported before commercial release.

Speed to innovation. By utilizing open source’s momentum, technology can evolve rapidly. Open source makes it easy to combine projects, enabling developers to deliver robust products and services that much faster. And it enables developers to innovate around the work of others, which shortens development cycles. As Maurizio Davini, head of the University of Pisa Department of Physics’ Computing Center, says, “Open source represents an express lane to sharing and spreading technological expertise that can function as a base and amplifier for further studies and development.”

Ease of deployment. Unlike proprietary software, which often supports hundreds of rarely used features, open-source software generally provide only the essential capabilities, which make deployment, and eventually support, much easier. Most mature open-source software now comes with easy-to-use installation software, graphical management tools, and online help.

Freedom from platform lock-in. Open-source software is typically available on dozens of platforms, so enterprises can choose the most economical combination of hardware and software for their needs. Open source also helps ensure that all those participating in the community develop from the same base technology. Developers have ready access to source code and to critical data, giving them a high degree of flexibility and preventing lock-in to a single company or platform.

Greater security. Because open-source software is developed in plain view and used by thousands, it can’t be hacked, and bugs are quickly detected and dealt with. Open-source projects go through orders of magnitude more hours of quality assurance than their proprietary counterparts, and their robustness is tested every day. Should an issue arise, an entire community of developers stands ready to remed.

Share your view, do you think open-source offers greater security and why?