Open source vs proprietary software-Computing

The inclusion of open source software within companies has increased considerably in the past 10 years, almost to the point, analysts say, where there are more organizations are now using some form of open source tool than not.

But it is important to remember that not all open source software is the same-quality, cost and support resources significantly from one application or operating system-factors that ultimately determine differences will or a company a positive or negative experience of technology.

Peter Dawes-Huish is chief executive of LinuxIT, a Bristol based Linux technology and services company that advises the about Linux adoption to businesses of all sizes, as well as local councils and Central Government organisations. The company has just her best ever trade year since its founding in 1999, with revenues in 2010 up to 50 percent more than the previous year.

"People pooling open source software in a bucket-there are good open source products and not so well open source products," he says. "There are a number of evangelist organisations about open source is the answer to everything talk will, when it is of course not. Just like any other software should it carefully and correctly selected for use. "

Research Analyst Gartner surveyed 547 IT professionals in organizations from 11 countries in July and August 2010, and found that more than half had already open source software. Of these, 22% open source software in all departments had deployed, but a much higher number of-46% – had used open source tools for specific tasks or application projects, stating that many are happier for dipping their toe in the water of the open source, at least initially, either instead of throwing it broadly. A further 21 percent said they were evaluating whether or not to open source applications suitable for use in their organization.

"There is a very strong propaganda blogger focus among the open source community that tends to treat open source as an ideology," said Mark Driver, Research Vice-President at Gartner. "Even some organizations treat it as an ethical issue and that tends to blur."

Why use open source?
It is clear that there seems to be sufficient demand for commercially supported open source software delivery models that a viable alternative to proprietary applications in a variety of business cases. And the benefit usually associated with open source-lower costs for licenses and support – is not always what the IT department or strive to achieve, or realistic.

Driver says open source software can often make the "illusion" of cost savings, but in most cases bring a broader range of options and more freedom. The benefits of its adoption, he says, three different categories: cost, optimization and flexibility.

"There is a universal assumption of cost savings for open source but we felt that varies dramatically," he says.

"That's not to say that people do not save money, just that it's not automatic. A large number of people that we are considering why they ask a transition toward open source say cost savings at first. However, when we crunch the numbers – not just the total cost of ownership, which is almost zero, but also the costs for maintenance and support, plus the risk of cutting a certain vendor – only 50% end up actually money besparenterwijl most of the rest break even, and the rest spend even more in comparison with proprietary software. "

LinuxIT the Dawes-Huish agrees there are different, often conflicting arguments around total cost of ownership and return on investment for open source software platforms.

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