Table of Contents
- Treading down the memory lane
- The place for Open Source Software (OSS) in this Information Technology Renaissance we are witnessing
- The Ethos - What is great about Open Source Software
- The Open Source Advantage
- Rise of open source across the spectrum
- Biggest Myth Buster: Open Source is NOT Free Software
- Why OSS is Desirable for the Enterprise
- Challenges of Open Source Software (OSS) Adoption
- A viable OSS Distribution Model -Commercial OSS (COSS) Model
- Conclusion - The Tacten Approach
- Fossible: Unlocking Endless Possibilities with Free and Open-Source Software
- Fossible Democratizing Technology for a Brighter Tomorrow
Treading down the memory lane
Software is more ubiquitous now than ever and it is a fair statement to say that software touches all aspects of our known world. Our dependence on software through the various touchpoints such as the internet, app subscriptions we rely on has a heightened relevance almost equal to basic daily necessities like food, water or power. Digital tech has infused almost all industries, orgs and institutions, and how we interact with our world for almost everything (Paying bills, learning, entertainment, communications what not) - the end result is the hyper connected world we live in. The phrase - “Software is eating the world” is no longer far-fetched.
Rewinding a bit to back trace the evolution of software and the industry as it stands today (Not intending to trace back the software industry from the Dinosaur era, though.😀)
Earliest recollection known to our generation is the client server computing. Then the main-frame era where software found its application in the business world (what we now know of as a headless backend as a service fundamentally).
The mainstream adoption of software in the consumer space was championed by IBM & Microsoft as a result of the PC and Microsoft Windows operating systems coming together which made software accessible to the end-user through intuitve MS Windows OS user interfaces.
This end-user computing experience was further enhanced in the 1990s with th World Wide Web (www) getting popular, http protocol, and with the web browser we saw the dot com boom that accelerated the growth and adoption of the technology globally and as we stand today, from now and then - the industry has witnessed many inflection points and revolutionary innovations such as - Social Network, Mobile - Android / iOS, Cloud infra, SaaS, IoT and edge computing and in recent times AI takes the center stage and is rapidly picking speed in infusing all aspects of our world and human computer interactions. The renaissance is unprecedented.
The obvious driving force behind this great renaissance is a result of both software and hardware on which the software runs, evolving in tandem.
The place for Open Source Software (OSS) in this Information Technology Renaissance we are witnessing
Now zooming in on the software parlance - most of what we are witnessing with the industry can be largely attributed to Open Source Software (OSS) and Open Standards led growth.
Right from the start of the internet era OSS tools and softwares predominantly played a key role in all aspects of the tech evolutions. Operating systems, tools, and packages such as - linux, web app servers, http servers, databases, application middle layer ORM frameworks, and other software infrastructure pretty much powdered the majority of the internet workloads. FSF, GNU Linux, Apache, Maven, MIT, Java, PHP, Python are some of the leading orgs and communities behind open source. About 75% of the internet work loads run on Open Source infrastructure.
Not to mention - OSS powers most of the big tech companies (Google, Facebook, Apple, Amazon etc) for the services and products they offer. And as an offshoot many OSS projects have its origins birthed from big tech companies themselves. This blog does a diservice if there is no highlight about the tons of OSS contributions made by educational institutes like Berkley, MIT and many others.
Here is recent announcement (FLOSS FUND) by Zerodha (India's largest Stock broker platform) about a $1m fund yearly for FOSS projcts, the CTO Kailash Nadh attest to this fact:
Zerodha is built on high-quality FOSS projects that we have availed from all across the globe. There would be no Zerodha, no large startup ecosystem, or widespread tech innovation in general, if not for FOSS. -- Kailash Nadh, CTO @ Zerodha
Hence we can conclude that a major share of how our modern & connected world is being infused by technology at all levels can be attributed fully to open source contributions.
The Ethos - What is great about Open Source Software
Early in the mid 70s this movement was called Free Software. Academics and hobbyists developed software, and the whole ethos was: give software away for free. As ARPANET gave way to the internet, networks made it much easier to collaborate and exchange code. The next evolution of Free Software is called the Open Source and with it came the different flavors of licenses that protected the interest of the developers and also potentially opened door for some commercialisation opportunities for open source software. The licensing authority for OSS is the organization called Open Source Initiative(OSI) and is certified by OCI.
GitHub’s choosealicense.com site, created to help developers working on open source projects to easily find the open source license that suits their needs, offers an appendix that compares open source licenses and maps out the differences and similarities based on what they permit and what they restrict.
Usually the motivation to open source a software is so that it attracts more collaborations with a worldwide community to contribute and evolve the project. Another motivation is for public good of the likes of Wikipedia, MIT license etc.
Now of late, open source software is being distributed in a more commercially viable fashion through the Commercial Open Source Software (COSS) distribution models that many companies see growth opportunities in a sustainable way - (The Red Hat story explained below)
Open Source licenses also play a key role defining how OSS can be used and commercially distribute. The spectrum of licensing spans from very permissive (with no obligations binding to even make commercial derivatives of it) to very restrictive copy-left type of licenses.
When an open source component is released under a copyleft license, developers have the right to use, modify, and share the work as long as the reciprocity of the obligation is maintained. Using a component with this kind of open source license requires that you too must make the code open for use by others.
Examples of permissive licenses are MIT, BSD. Examples of restrictive ones are the versions and variations of the GPL license.
Here is a list of about 80 difference types of licenses certified by OSI
Main opportunities OSS opens up and enjoy:
The Open Source Advantage
Open source isn’t just a trend; it’s a philosophy of transparency, collaboration, and freedom. Here are a few key reasons it should be part of every company’s tech stack:
- Total Freedom - No Vendor Lock-In: When you invest in open source, you avoid being held hostage by proprietary software. OSS can be adapted, modified, and owned forever, which safeguards your investment and prevents disruptions if a vendor ceases operations - hence future proofing you investments.
- Total Control and Customization: Open source provides the unique ability to mold software to meet specific needs. Businesses aren’t bound by the limitations of a vendor’s roadmap or the risk of sudden changes that don’t align with organizational goals.
- Lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO): While OSS may have initial setup and support costs, its long-term savings are significant. Proprietary software often comes with high licensing fees, while open source reduces those recurring expenses and offers a greater ROI over time.
- Supported by a Global Community: Open source thrives on contributions from a diverse, global community. This structure fosters rapid innovation and provides access to a wealth of knowledge and add-ons to further enhance software capabilities.
- Privacy-Centric and Self-Hosted Options: Fully auditable and flexibility to self-host approach allows us to keep control over our data and mitigate the risk of leaks, even annonimized usage.
Rise of open source across the spectrum
Come the dawn of this present century - OSS is no more a backend or server side tech, as we all know of Linux, Apache, MySql, Java or Maven etc that powers most of the internet workloads. Its reach is pervading across the spectrum of all imaginable end user software applications now. Even as we speak, full fledged OSS ERPs (such as ERPNext, Odoo) are gaining traction against proprietary ERPs like SAP, Oracle and Microsoft. We have OSS alternatives for all known software applications. Some of the popular OSS web applications we know of are Wordpress, Drupal (CMS), Matermost, Sugar CRM, and so many more powerful OSS alternatives we have in the market that can be added in the tech mix for running modern day organizations and businesses.
Biggest Myth Buster: Open Source is NOT Free Software
Anyone considering OSS adoption should know it is more than “free as in free beer" type of thing. It is free as in free speech - the freedom of using, owning, breaking it, and adopting the software to your needs, which in not available with any solution you can buy off-the-shelf (COTS) by any imaginable meausure. An this freedom in your hands to shape your requirements the best way possible should be the main motivation when you consider using OSS. One main prerequisite for OSS projects to be successful - it requires an organizations will and developer centric culture within the company. If such a culture doesn't exists, it calls to nurture a dev culture within their organizations to be able to yield maximum benefit from the OSS projects.
OSS implemenation is not cheap, so you need to account for sufficient budget early on to mitigate risks - but on the long run the benefits are manifold which is ownership you enjoy that can give significant long term RoI and at the same time freedom from being hostage to proprietary vendor lock-ins.
On the other hand Open Source and Open Standards is increasingly recognised by governments as the most feasible charter for achieving true freedom and democracy in how tech can shape the future of our world. India's national citizen ID network called Aadhaar and many countries working towards standardising Health Data interoperability standards and emerging decentralised protocols like BECKN etc are all examples of how Open Source and Open Standards has proven to be more advantageous for better development, maintainability and sustainability of how tech can influence our world.
With this trend catching up, OSS is gaining traction across the full stack for software and digital needs.
Lot of times companies jump on the OSS bandwagon thinking it is free software and is going to cost them nothing or very little. This is a big myth that anyone who wants to use OSS needs to come to terms with.
Here in this insightful read from Mckinsey on How Software Excellence Fules Business Performance - it clearly illustrates how quintessential it is to have software engineers as part of your workforce, to succeed in the mordern day marketplace.
Why OSS is Desirable for the Enterprise
As more businesses integrate technology into their offerings and participate in digital marketplaces, digital workflows and solutions increasingly drive core business areas like distribution, purchasing, and customer engagement. In this landscape, enterprises are recognizing the strategic advantage of building and owning their technology rather than relying on third-party vendors. The primary motivation behind this shift is the flexibility to tailor solutions to unique business needs—capabilities that off-the-shelf software from proprietary vendors often can't match. Additionally, enterprises are drawn to the long-term cost savings and improved return on investment (ROI) that come from customizing and controlling their technology stack.
A significant advantage of owning technology is the ability to manage both capital expenditure (CapEx) and operational expenditure (OpEx) more effectively. Open-source software (OSS) is particularly appealing here, as it allows companies to clone, self-host, and modify applications to evaluate their fit for business needs. By avoiding vendor lock-in, organizations gain freedom over both their code and data, increasing their ability to innovate, improve security, and reduce total cost of ownership (TCO).
Moreover, a growing number of organizations are fostering a strong software development culture internally to remain competitive and adaptable in today’s fast-evolving business environment. This trend of nurturing in-house development capabilities is a key enabler for building proprietary tech solutions rather than depending solely on external vendors. By adopting open-source solutions, enterprises can leverage community-driven innovation while retaining control over customization, security, and operational agility—ultimately positioning themselves for greater resilience and long-term success.
Source: OpenLogic by Perforce/OSI
Here in this blog we cover the topic in depth - A perspective on owning your IT vs renting your IT
Challenges of Open Source Software (OSS) Adoption
While open source offers numerous advantages, adopting it within an enterprise setting presents unique challenges. Understanding and addressing these hurdles is essential for a successful transition to an open-source framework. Here are some of the common challenges organizations may face:
- Cultural Shifts and Skill Requirements
Open source adoption often requires a mindset shift, especially for organizations accustomed to traditional, closed-source software. The collaborative nature of OSS demands a strong developer culture where teams are comfortable with frequent updates, active contributions, and peer-driven support. Additionally, integrating OSS into existing workflows may necessitate training, skill-building, and adjustments in day-to-day operations to fully leverage its potential. - Scalability and Integration Complexities
Deploying open source at an enterprise scale comes with unique technical challenges, particularly in environments that rely on proprietary software or legacy systems. Integrating open source applications can be complex and may require customization to ensure seamless interoperability. Moreover, without dedicated support, organizations may find themselves relying on in-house resources for troubleshooting, upgrades, and compatibility management, which can strain both time and budgets. - Security and Compliance Concerns
One of the most significant concerns with OSS adoption is security. Unlike proprietary software, which often undergoes strict internal testing, open-source projects rely on the global community for updates and patches. This can leave enterprises vulnerable to security risks if updates are missed or if there is insufficient oversight on configurations. Additionally, maintaining compliance with industry regulations may become challenging, especially in sectors with stringent data privacy requirements. Managing these security and compliance aspects demands a robust approach to OSS governance. - Fragmentation and Lack of Centralized Support
The open-source ecosystem is vast and diverse, with software solutions often developed by independent contributors or small communities rather than centralized organizations. This fragmentation can make it difficult to find consistent documentation or reliable support for certain OSS tools. Without dedicated support, organizations may struggle to resolve critical issues or obtain timely updates, which can lead to operational disruptions. - Total Cost of Ownership and Maintenance
While OSS can lower long-term software licensing costs, enterprises must account for additional expenses related to customization, integration, and ongoing support. Open source solutions might initially seem budget-friendly but may require investment in skilled personnel, infrastructure, and resources to ensure smooth implementation and maintenance. Budgeting for these hidden costs is essential to avoid unexpected expenses. - Fear of Vendor Independence and Ownership Responsibilities
Open-source adoption can lead to a shift in ownership responsibility. Unlike proprietary software with vendor-driven updates and support, enterprises adopting OSS must take full ownership of their solutions. This means a greater reliance on internal teams for troubleshooting, updates, and long-term maintenance. For organizations that value the comfort of vendor-managed solutions, this shift can feel overwhelming.
The rise of Commercial OSS (COSS) Model - Open Source emerging as a viable software distribution model
But the caveat is that OSS is mostly half finished and suffers neglect due to poor business models and economics around the software distribution, their maintainers end up finding it not sustainable and viability becomes a problem for support and maintenance.
However this is changing a lot as a lot of new pricing innovations are seeing traction in the industry around how OSS is sold and distributed. And the COSS (Commercial Open Source Software) is emerging as a mainstream software distribution method.
Red Hat story - Red Hat model of providing enterprise support and accountability for enterprise users who find value in paying for support was a big hit. Redhat IPO and its buyout by IBM for $39 Billion is a noteworthy story for OSS.
Here is a classical story of one of the leading social omni channel agent support tooling companies called Chatwoot that is thriving after they pivoted from a closed source to open source SaaS product. Read the full story here: Woot Journals: One year since open sourcing Chatwoot
Open Source is gaining traction a lot as a viable software distribution model of late. Every other day hacker news has covers of new OSS product launches and fund raising stories of OSS projects.
Popular Commercial Open Source Distribution models:
Source: Blog by Peter Levine and Jennifer Li on OSS, published on a16z.com
- Support and Service Revenue - Redhat
- Open Core - Odoo, Confluent, Elastic
- SaaS - Hosting, Tooling & Operations
Here is a great read from a16z.com on the topic: Open Source: From Community to Commercialization by Peter Levine and Jennifer Li
Some newer trends where commercialization and sustainability aspects are getting ground:
Some of the recent trends we have been seeing are attempts and innovations around sustainable commercial distribution of OSS.
The company Once has a very interesting pricing model in making the development of OSS more sustainable and not leaving behind anyone participating in it (be it the developers who build and users who consume it by layering the offerings with lot the typical enterprise featuers that the open core model offers)
Here is an interesting read about the Model that the popular OSS Project Management Tool called Plane.so is experimenting with - to make OSS a win-win for developers and the end users of the software. Read more here in this blog: Why Plane One
Frappe Cloud Marketplace provides a percentage of revenue to the OSS core maintainers as a way to monetise their apps. This is quite contrary to the trend seen with public cloud providers who has a slew of OSS marketplace apps based of they make a lot of workload cloud revenue. Read more about it here in this blog: Grow with Frappe Cloud and Marketplace
Ente.io is a privacy and security first cloud OSS cloud photo storing and sharing platform. Read here their approach to OSS:
These newer models and commercial angles are sure to make open source attractive and sustainable for all parties involved (for the developers who write and work on OSS projects, and for users and businesses - more accountability to rely on for their mission critical workloads), hence making the software industry a level playing field for everyone.
AI has not left the space unchecked
Open Source is breaking even in the AI and LLM worlds too. Meta (Facebook) just spent over $100,000,000 to build Llama 3 - the world's best open source AI model - so you can use it for free.
Meta is the only Big Tech company committed to developing AI, particularly large language models, with an open-source approach. Its less about altruism and more about strategy” - Tobias Zwingmann. Read more details here in this LinkedIn Post
The future doesn’t look bleak anymore and with the projects getting neglected type of scenarios, instead a lot more projects are going to see the light-of-day in many ways with the shimmer, shine and polish they deserve to make them mainstream adoption worthy and bestow us with the desireable freedom we all deserve which only open source can promise.
Conclusion - The Tacten Approach
Our goal isn’t to replace your established systems, but to complement them with OSS solutions. For example, while your organization may rely on core systems like SAP, Oracle, or QuickBooks, we can introduce open-source applications that integrate seamlessly, catalyzing your organizations growth for better digital transformation outcomes.
Our Business Model
Open source can be a complex and fragmented world to navigate, and enterprise adoption often requires dedicated support and integration. Tacten addresses these needs by offering:
- Seamless Onboarding Services: Open-source knowledge is widely available but often scattered. We streamline this process by providing expert guidance, customized training, and ongoing support.
- Enterprise-Grade Roll-Out: Many companies hesitate to adopt OSS due to fears around security and support. Tacten’s onboarding services and commitment to secure, scalable solutions ensure your organization can harness the power of open source safely.
Overcoming the Challenges of OSS Adoption
While open source is incredibly promising, enterprises may face challenges, such as:
- Cultural Shifts: OSS often requires a strong developer culture and adaptability within the tech teams.
- Scalability and Integration: Without the right expertise, OSS deployment at scale can be challenging. We solve this by leveraging industry best practices for seamless integration with proprietary and legacy systems.
- Security Concerns: We address these by focusing on secure configurations, frequent updates, and proven OSS security practices, ensuring that open-source solutions meet or exceed enterprise standards.
The Road Ahead
Life is more than just work and technology; at Tacten, we value doing one thing and doing it well. Our approach to tech mirrors this philosophy, as we aim to create solutions that are both efficient and sustainable. Our belief in "boring tech" – stable, proven technologies – keeps us grounded while we continually assess and adapt to new advancements.
In closing, the open-source journey offers freedom, flexibility, and a sustainable path forward for businesses willing to embrace it. At Tacten, we’re here to ensure that the journey is one of growth, resilience, and success by leveraging OSS solutions that complement your technolgy landscape strategy.
Fossible: Unlocking Endless Possibilities with Free and Open-Source Software
We coined this term Fossible to express the essence of what we embody as company, our vision and mission, where the fusion of "possible" and "FOSS" (Free and Open-Source Software) gives birth to a realm of limitless potential. Fossible embodies the spirit of collaborative development, harnessing the collective genius of global communities to create, adapt and share software solutions that are accessible to all. Yes, it is fossible.
At its core, Fossible celebrates the principles of openness, transparency and inclusivity, empowering developers, users and organizations alike to push the boundaries of what is achievable. By embracing the Fossible ethos, we unlock a future where technology serves humanity, fostering creativity, equity and progress for all.
Fossible: Democratizing Technology for a Brighter Tomorrow
In the dynamic landscape of technology, Fossible emerges as a beacon of inclusivity, bridging the gap between innovation and accessibility. By embracing Free and Open-Source Software (FOSS), Fossible democratizes the tech industry, empowering diverse voices and fostering a culture of collaboration.
Key Principles of Fossible
Democratization of Technology
Accessibility: Making cutting-edge technology available to everyone, regardless of geographical or financial constraints.
Inclusivity: Encouraging diverse perspectives and skills to contribute to technological advancements.
Openness: Promoting transparency in software development, ensuring accountability and trust.
Empowerment Through FOSS
Community-driven: Leveraging global communities to develop, maintain and enhance software solutions.
Innovation: Accelerating technological progress through shared knowledge and collaborative efforts.
Sustainability: Ensuring long-term viability of software projects through open-source licensing.
Impact of Fossible
Societal Impact
Digital Equity: Bridging the digital divide by providing equal access to technology.
Economic Growth: Stimulating innovation, creating jobs and boosting local economies.
Education: Enhancing digital literacy and skills development.
Industry Impact
Competition: Encouraging healthy competition, driving innovation and improving quality.
Standards: Establishing open standards, promoting interoperability and reducing vendor lock-in.
Security: Enhancing software security through community scrutiny and rapid vulnerability patching.
Individual Impact
Freedom: Offering users the freedom to use, modify and distribute software.
Privacy: Protecting user privacy through transparent data handling practices.
Opportunity: Providing a platform for individuals to contribute, learn and grow.
Here is a great take on the potential of innovation democratized:
When I say that innovation is being democratized, I mean that users of products and services-both firms and individual consumers-are increasingly able to innovate for themselves. User-centered innovation processes offer great advantages over the manufacturer-centric innovation development systems that have been the mainstay of commerce for hundreds of years. Users that innovate can develop exactly what they want rather than relying on manufacturers to act as their (often very imperfect) agents.
— Eric von Hippel, Democratizing Innovation
By embracing Fossible, we pave the way for a more equitable, innovative and connected world, where technology serves humanity and propels us toward a brighter future.