Using Open Sources Software In The Cloud
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Published on: October 26th, 2021
Last edited: May 24th, 2023
Using Open Sources Software In The cloud
The demand for flexible technology due to the worldwide pandemic accelerated many businesses’ transition to the cloud. Those organizations moving to the cloud will have to choose between proprietary solutions from vendors and open-source platforms for their software needs. This is a decision that’ll usually have long-term implications.
The use of open-source platforms increased over the past 12 months. The increase was seen among medium to large enterprises with 500 to more than a thousand team members. When asked about their reason for choosing open source, they cited increased innovation, improved security, and cost savings. (1)
Are you wondering if open-source software is right for you? Read on to learn more about open-source software and why businesses that now rely on cloud-based systems and cloud computing are (and should be) incorporating it.
What’s open-source software?
Open-source software is code that’s designed to be publicly accessible. It means that anyone can use, modify, and distribute the software with its original rights. (2)
Open-source software relies on peer review and community production, so it’s developed collaboratively in a decentralized way. Because it gets distributed with its source code and anyone can change the program by adding, changing, or fixing its parts, open-source software is often cheaper than proprietary software solutions. (2)
If you’re looking for something to use in the cloud that you can modify to fit your organization’s needs best, open-source software should work for you.
Benefits of using open sources software in the cloud
The use of open sources software in the cloud brings many benefits. It’s definitely the way to go over proprietary options because of these advantages:
1. Quicker and greater innovations are possible
Global collaboration is possible with open sources software, thanks to open-source programs’ dedicated user communities. In a world where tech problems are getting far too big for one person or enterprise to solve on their own, it’s a significant advantage. (3)
User communities in most open sources software consist of experts who build a series of resources for anyone to consult when using a particular program. It’s also common to see new features, bug fixes, and updates from different community-led projects. In these communities, people use their knowledge and skills for the benefit of each other. It’s all about how the wider community can benefit, not competition, so the software’s development becomes much quicker. Even the rate of generating innovative solutions to certain issues and problems accelerates significantly. (3)
2. Improved security
Compared to proprietary products, security patches in open sources software are also pushed out faster. That’s because anyone can view the source code and modify it. This means that someone might spot errors that the software’s original creator might have missed. Malicious codes can also be quickly identified, giving everyone sufficient time to correct errors. Some community members even put in extra effort to create resources for avoiding and addressing the reported vulnerabilities or risks to help others.
Being aware of bugs and getting the chance to help fix issues is priceless. Thanks to that transparency, security in using open-source software is better than ever before. Surely, a large community working on the same project can identify and solve security issues in no time, no matter how tricky they can be.
2. Saves money
For many organizations, cost savings are the number one benefit of using open sources software in the cloud. Open sources software often comes at a relatively low cost (some are even free to install and use). That’s why adopting an open-source program when leveraging cloud-based systems has a lower up-front cost generally.
Of course, open sources software isn’t free to install and use completely. An enterprise will shoulder the licensing, customization, and implementation costs, which are operating and capital expenses, respectively. Costs for training, maintenance, and support should also be taken into account. Training, maintenance, and support expenses, however, are sunk costs. This means that regardless of whether you’re using an open-source program or not, you still have to pay for them.
Regardless of the hidden costs or expenses, open sources software communities provide free resources that you can use to operate the programs effectively. So, no matter which angle you look at it, building or accessing cloud-based systems on open-source software systems will still save you a good amount of money not only up-front but in the long run.
Conclusion
Quicker and greater innovations, improved security, and cost savings are only some of the valid reasons for organizations to use open sources software in the cloud. Other benefits include developer and engineer preference and better compatibility.
Of course, using open-source programs in building or accessing cloud-based systems is also how the modern world goes. Modern businesses, including even technology’s most notable names, such as IBM, are active in open-source software communities. This shows how open sources software systems have become an essential component of cloud computing.
References
- “The Changing Face Of Open Source”, Source: https://learn.percona.com/hubfs/Collateral/Solution_Briefs/The_Changing_Face_of_Open_Source_Percona_%20&_%20Vanson_%20Bourne_%20Survey_%20Results.pdf
- “How Open-Source Software Works”, Source: https://www.thebalancecareers.com/what-is-open-source-software-2071941
- “What Is Open Source Software”, Source: https://www.ibm.com/topics/open-source
