Open Source demystified

Open Source – what does it mean

Over the last five to ten years open source has established itself as a new model to develop software solutions. The available solutions have already become an integral part in many business areas. Yet, a sound attitude and not too far reaching expectations are indicated. Not everything that sounds good is good; particularly open source requires a solid IT knowledge to be able to choose the right tools and to use them accordingly.

The Pros & Cons of Open Source

No light without shadow. While on the one hand open source - and the fact that software is no longer being developed by one organization only but by a group of people with different know-how and background - brings about benefits, it also has some disadvantages for the user on the other hand. The pros are that innovation may be accelerated; and the software is being tested faster and more thoroughly. Thus, novelties may be included much more easily and faster which gives proof of the enormous innovation potential that lies within Open Source. The disadvantages are a support infrastructure that is not to be compared to usual software. While with proprietary software from one single producer support issues are clearly defined, the support with open source applications has to be carried out by the software users themselves. There is a community, though, who provides help but there will be no guarantee that problems will actually be solved.

KINAMU’s Role - Support guarantee

We at KINAMU believe in open source and see the benefits that SMEs may draw from such software (openness, simplicity). At the same time, however, we see the problems that may arise with the use of open source solutions in SMEs as this requires profound IT knowledge and trained personnel to install and adjust the software. And, above all to be able to turn to someone who will help to solve problems on basis of service level agreements. Due to central resources and the focus on only a few open source solutions which were tried and tested by us beforehand the safe use of such solutions is possible. With our profound economic know-how we will trace the best-suited products on the market and guarantee the support for our customers. In case of problems you have a contact person.

Integration as central issue

Apart from the selection and maintenance of the open source product we also guarantee the compatibility and integration of the individual solutions. As with CRM this means e.g. a unified database of customer and contact details as well as of organization and user details and a complete integration of proposals, orders and background information.

Only with integration optimal benefit may be drawn from each individual solution. By complementing each other perfectly they finally run as an integrated whole.