Power to the people! No more shall developers be enslaved by proprietary software with tightly-locked source codes and license keys costing as much as one human kidney. It’s time for a software revolution — an open-source revolution, that is.
But first, let’s breathe, make ourselves some tea, and see what using open-source tech in outsourced software development is actually about.
Sure, tearing down the walls imposed by tech giants with community-built software is fun, but open-source tech isn’t that destructive. Rather, it has more of an innovative, productive, secure, and collaborative side most businesses fail to see.
Let’s find out what they are and how your business benefits from them!
Open-source tech in outsourced software development – Short 101 lesson
With outsourcing software development came:
- Reduced development costs.
- Increased efficiency.
- Faster time-to-market.
- Access to a global pool of top-performing software talent.
It’s what businesses wanted all along but it came with a price. Software providers put down their iron foot by making businesses use their proprietary software with high licensing fees, and have them chained by maintenance costs.
And don’t get me started with access to the source code. Mission impossible even for Tom Cruise! But with the introduction of open-source code, the software development industry changed forever.
Think of it this way: Open-source tech in outsourced software development is like a DIY project with a team of experts. It provides developers with ready-to-use software that the team can use as a foundation for creating custom software solutions. And just like professional tools in your DIY project, open-source tech helps businesses build high-quality software that meets their specific needs.
It’s the ultimate DIY toolbox in the software development world, with a dedicated team of experts at your side to help you get the job done however your project goal dictates.
4 benefits of open-source tech in outsourced software development
Open-source tech in the software industry has the reputation of being the king of cost-effectiveness and flexibility businesses love and adore. But did you know it also has some other perks you probably didn’t hear about?
They are:
- Reduced Vendor lock-in — With open-source tech, you set yourself free from the shackles of proprietary software platforms and systems. Just like in the Django Unchained movie. No more extensive retooling or costly migrations! Switch to a different solution however your needs dictate.
- Greater security measures — There’s a stigma about using open-source tech with outsourced software development. Many naysayers say it has trash-level security and its protocols are child’s play to hack. But that can’t be further from the truth! The source code of open-source tech is open 24/7 and available to a global community of developers. Meaning no cyber attack, data breach, or software glitch escapes the ever-awake eye of the global community.
- Community support — Open-source tech is powered by the people for the people. It’s developed by unselfish developers, passionate about creating high-quality software solutions. This means you get the expertise and support of the whole community, who provides guidance, troubleshooting, and advice on how to use open-source software effectively for FREE!
- Rapid innovation with reduced time-to-market — Since open-source is built by communities of developers, the rate of innovation is much faster than with proprietary software. Open-source tech, at its core, encourages experimentation and exploration, leading to breakthroughs in software development. Using the same approach, businesses can build on top of pre-existing solutions, rather than starting from scratch. Using open-source frameworks and libraries, software gets delivered more quickly with reduced time-to-market.
Bonus advantage – Improved software transparency
Source code is what makes or breaks your business. Make it an open one and enjoy unimagined riches. But close it with strict access policies and brace yourself for a catastrophic landing.
Open-source tech has one core principle fueling thousands of developer communities — free source code access for life. No restrictions, no gatekeeping, and no BS!
That perk compounds itself over time by building trust between developers and customers, since everything is out there, in the open. How your data is protected, how the software ticks, what frameworks it uses, whether it is built ethically or not, does it respect best industry practices — everything!
That’s why open-source tech is the king of outsourced software development.
Minimizing risks in outsourced software development with open-source technology
But with great power comes great responsibility. Open-source tech has its risks. Legal, security, maintenance, and integration risks are the four horsemen of open-source doom. But there’s a way your business can escape them.
Here’s how:
- Legal risks — Without doing legal acrobatics, the best practice in minimizing these risks is compliance with the terms of open-source licenses and conducting thorough due diligence to avoid intellectual property issues.
- Security risks — Keeping open-source tech constantly updated is a fire-safe way of mitigating these risks. Regular patches, updates, and security audits are a must-do if you want to avoid this open-source horseman of doom.
- Maintenance risks — Choosing the right outsourced software provider with a sound maintenance plan in place does wonders and minimizes this risk. Version control, compatibility issue prevention, and regular software testing are the three pinnacles of any maintenance plan every outsourced software development provider should have in place.
- Integration risks — What if open-source tech isn’t compatible with your tech stack? One way of avoiding costly delays and project failures is by having a specialized team of developers with proven know-how in running open-source tech integrations.
TL;DR of a match made in heaven
The future is utopian!
No longer are businesses bound by the dystopian tight grip of proprietary software, licensing keys, and Fort Knox-secure source codes. Open-source tech is here to have the day!
With its reduced vendor lock-ins, great security measures, global community support, and rapid innovation with reduced time-to-market, open-source tech is the future of outsourced software development!
