As long as it concerns the creating, distribution and use of software, it is then describing “Open source”. It is very easy for anyone to see the composition of the software and can potentially alter it to meet needs. In-as-much as open-source software is concerned, it is not something that normally comes on a free basis, as it may seem. It is left for the team involved in the procurement to get to know the full technicalities involved.
The reality of FREE in open source
The presence of the procurement team indicated that this is not free. It has to do with some costs. Some projects may come without restrictions or costs from its creators but in usage and sharing. Considerably, other projects may offer free access to the source code as well. It is worthy to note that licenses that prevent other commercial users are covering all these projects.
How much is the open-source product worth?
The real value of an open-source is truly projected when the procurement team has estimated the overall cost of the project. For example, they will be looking at the technical requirements of the project rather than on how it will be supported. Based on a recent report, up to 75% of new applications will be operated on open source databases by the year 2022, with the half of already existing ones moving over to open source at the time.
Getting the best of Open Source Support and Service
In getting the best of open source support and service, there would be the dare need for both your IT team and that of your developers to fully comprehend the nitty-gritty’s of their choices with the hope of arriving at the right approach for future support requirements.
Taking databases as a case study, you have to align your procurement team and your developers in such a way that they both will be addressing the same problems by looking into the following questions:
A. Is the processed data important?
This question helps to clarify sensitive issues bothering on customer details or commercial information. Security is a paramount issue when it comes to data procession.
B. Who will manage the service over time?
In as much as it is your developers who may have picked their open source project wisely, it is left for you to hire a consultant or an in-house support team to handle the running of the project. The developers have to focus on their application so that all-round efficiencies will be attained.
Conclusion
More emphasis is laid on the shoulders of the procurement team because they do understand the implications of each step that is to be taken. Necessary help is gotten when relying on the specialist’s advice in the process of securing better deals in the market. This ensures that you and your team get exactly what you desired, which is ultimately procuring the best support and services.
Daven Michaels is a New York Times Best Selling Author and CEO of premiere global outsourcing company, 123Employee. The company employs hundreds of young bright individuals on three continents. His International event, Beyond Marketing Live! Inspires entrepreneurs to build & grow their business with revolutionary new theories and systems allowing them to design the business and personal lifestyle of their dreams.
1 thought on “Some critical factors determining the best deals in open source”
Greetings! Very helpful advice in this particular post! It’s the little changes that make the largest changes. Thanks a lot for sharing!