Open Source and Cloud Computing

I used to run a software house using a variety of proprietary applications and operating systems. My view in the 1980's, 1990's, and the early part of 2000's was as follows:

1. Open source is not supported commercially to the same extent as proprietary products.
2. Open source does not future-proof your applications and operating systems.
3. If open source doesn't work you cannot get it fixed quickly, and it's going to cost.
4. It will never catch on, as they say in Yorkshire, "you don't get owt for nowt".

However, the primary development tools supplier we used grasped the concept of Open Source, and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS). After closer inspection, we adopted these within my company as it made logical sense, which is even more compelling for a techy. My views have changed dramatically so much so that I proactively encourage the use of open source and SaaS applications for SME's.

The main reasons for my switch are as follows:

1. Cost, it generally far cheaper for most business types to go Open Source and/or SaaS, assuming a 3 or 5 year comparison.
2. Support, my personal experience was that Open Source applications are fixed and updated more often that proprietary ones.
3. Engaging a technical open source resource for the complex jobs, is more cost effective as there are an abundance of skilled people out there.
4. There are companies available to provide support contracts and service level agreements on open sourced products, so you still have the option for full coverage of your IT systems.
5. SaaS and cloud computing means you have the option of using applications as a utility, ie: low monthly cost, pay-as-you-use etc. Cashflow, take a look at the costs over 3 or 5 years, the figures are impressive.

Some of the commonly forgotten items when considering these projects are:

1. Service Level Agreement, covering the amount of permissible downtime, response times, disaster recovery and security of data.
2. Contract period, what is the minimum period and cancellation period.
3. What happens if the supplier goes bust, is your data and any bespoke software covered?

Note, an open source project still requires project managing, implementing and administering correctly to reach the required business benefits. The rate of change as increased dramatically with reduced computing costs, higher broadband speeds and the abundance of open source applications.