Open Source vs. Proprietary Solution: How To Not Lose

What are the main factors to consider when choosing between an open source cloud and a proprietary solution? Let’s dive into and find out which suits your business better.

When faced with the task of selecting a cloud service, businesses find themselves deliberating between two main camps: open source vs. proprietary solution. The decision holds significant importance, as it can seriously impact your business’ success. That is why, even if you are already inclined towards one of the options, it is crucial to double-weigh the advantages and disadvantages carefully.

On one hand, the simplicity and convenience of proprietary cloud solutions is attractive to many. They surely provide a user-friendly experience and seamless integration among some other benefits. However, these advantages come at a price. Businesses should weigh the risk of vendor lock-in and potential limitations in customization compared to the flexibility and community-driven innovation offered by open source solutions.

For enterprises aiming to choose the right decision through two models, here are the parameters to pay attention to in the open-source versus proprietary solution debate.

Why Open Source, Not Proprietary Solution?

The open source vs. proprietary solution debate can somewhat be similar to comparing Windows and Linux. Open source cloud options have earned their reputation by offering unparalleled flexibility. One notable exemplar is OpenStack, which has invested extensively in creating a stable and robust foundation for businesses.

Now, let’s explore why opting for an open-source cloud platform could be more advantageous than a proprietary counterpart.

Cost-Saving as a Strategy

Enterprises using private cloud solutions often grapple with cost management. According to an O’Reilly survey, 30% of respondents cite cost-saving as a major challenge. Proprietary solutions tend to come with steep licensing fees, making open-source alternatives more appealing from a strategic perspective. 

For instance, Sardina Systems’ cloud platform, which is based on OpenStack, can reduce your expenses by up to 10 times. Find out how.

Source Code Customization

In the dynamic business landscape, the ability to tailor cloud solutions to enterprise needs is paramount. Proprietary cloud products typically do not allow the users to make any changes to the source code. That may not be a problem if your company wants to keep your services static and is not planning any modifications in the long term. However, many companies do not find such a strategy advantageous.

Open-source solutions, on the other hand, grant the flexibility to modify source code. It enables swift integration of new features whenever your team needs it. As a result, you get a solution that evolves over time without much effort.

Transparency and Security

One of the critical advantages of open source cloud solutions is their transparency. With an open source code, you can access and review it quickly. Such transparency facilitates security audits, allowing specialists to study and scrutinize the code for vulnerabilities at any time. The collaborative nature of open-source communities fosters continuous improvements in technology solutions.

Open Source and Effortless Migration

Migrating to a new cloud using proprietary solutions can be a lengthy and painful process, involving significant time and human resources investments. Moreover, it is also marred by concerns about vendor lock-in. This term refers to the difficulty of transferring products or services to another vendor due to proprietary restrictions. Knowledge transfer among competing providers is a silent taboo, meaning that you would have to build your cloud from scratch. Open-source cloud solutions mitigate this issue, enabling businesses to switch vendors with ease, promoting agility and choice.

Open Source or Proprietary Solution? Market Trends

As we have explored the differences between open source and proprietary clouds, let’s find out the pulse of the global market. OpenStack, a leading open-source cloud platform, has witnessed steady adoption. According to Statista, 30% of survey respondents were using OpenStack in production as of 2020. Simultaneously, the demand for proprietary solutions appears to be gradually decreasing. 

Source: www.statista.com

Since 2010, OpenStack has grown to become the most active global open source project, supported by a vibrant community. The focus on client data sovereignty highlights the significance of keeping control over sensitive information in the cloud environment. Moreover, OpenStack’s popularity in the EU market aligns with the region’s emphasis on local cloud solutions to safeguard data integrity.

Source: www.openstack.com

The European market has witnessed a distinctive shift in consumption patterns due to prevailing political, economic, and social factors. A shift towards local cloud solutions has emerged, primarily driven by data localization efforts and concerns stemming from information leaks, such as the US government’s collection of their own and foreign nationals’ personal data.

Finally, other economic factors also shape the market landscape. Local product consumption not only enhances end-customer pricing but also supports the domestic economy and job creation.

How to Choose an Open Source Cloud Platform

Sardina Systems, a software vendor and SaaS provider, offers a noteworthy example of an open source cloud solution for a variety of industries: Telecom, Finance, Research and Science, Healthcare, and others. Its software, called FishOS, is built on OpenStack and can be deployed in various locations to align with EU regulations.

By leveraging open source technology, FishOS catalyzes cloud transformation and container adoption, demonstrating the potential of open source solutions in revolutionizing the cloud industry.

In Conclusion

The choice between an open source and a proprietary solution significantly influences an enterprise’s cloud journey. Open source solutions provide unmatched flexibility, cost-efficiency, customization, security, and seamless migration options. While proprietary solutions still have a place, the rise of platforms like OpenStack signals a transformative shift in the cloud landscape. As businesses adapt to the changing environment, embracing open source technologies could be the key to securing competitive advantage and driving innovation in the cloud era.

If you’re seeking guidance on making the right choice for your business, our team is here to help.

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