Open Source Technologies-Problems and Business and Technology Issues

1. Problems addressed by open source technologies

Linux and other open source technologies address the following problems prominently.

Ø      The costs for a company are cut down to greater extent by using these technologies. Most of the open source software can be procured without cost (Fink, 2003).

Ø      Lapses in security are avoided. The code of the open source software is accessible in public domain. Those this availability of code can be exploited by hackers, the security of Linux is very strong. Apart from this, there is flexibility to install open source software at different levels of security in a computer (Fink, 2003).

Ø      Process of work gets smoother due to usage of this software as it follows industry standards as compared to closed source software (Fink, 2003).

Ø       Stability is provided while using open source technologies like Linux as operating systems. If there is Windows system, there will be issues of frequent rebooting, but such problems are avoided with Linux as it rarely crashes. Even while crashing, it does not harm kernel(Fink,2003).

2. Business and Technology Issues to be considered while using open-source software

            When existing software is being migrated to open-source environment like Linux, open-source equivalents should be explored for applications which are existing. This does not mean that all commercial applications can be replaced by open source. There can be migration to open source when only a fraction of the existing commercial applications are used (Fink, 2003).

            When migrating desktop environment, care should be taken that there is retraining to a greater extent other applications used in infrastructure apart from the one being done on operating system. Also it is to be made sure that all the web applications and user applications work with the Web-browsers based on Linux (Fink, 2003).

For using open source in business, the following pointers have to be considered (Fink, 2003).

Ø      The demands of the user have to be met as users are the developers and their input is significant.

Ø       An experienced software development manager is needed to run the project with an eye on quality and sometimes few components have to be rewritten to suit the user’s needs.

Ø      It might not be possible for the product to meet the requirements of all consumers. So software needs to be remodelled to suit the market requirements.

Ø      Management of people and their talents should be taken care of and there should be proper roadmap laid down for the execution of events. There should be right mix of corporate training and training on engineering processes.

Ø      There should be a very clear plan for migration and communication when there is transition from the current system to open source technologies.

Ø      Care should be taken that IP address is not transferred to other companies.

Reference:

Fink,M. (2003).The business and economics of Linux and open source.Upper Saddle River,NJ:Rentice Hall PTR.

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