Open Source for Business in the Philippines
Genuine software is expensive. Even a virtual office setup can encounter large costs when the software needed is licensed, and the cost of a multi-installation license is very high. Companies that want to be legitimate in their operations won’t use pirated or bootleg copies, but authentic copies can become a massive drain on the budget. This is especially true for a business in the Philippines, where the cost of a single-installation licensed copy of a popular operating system can cost as much as two or three desks. There is an alternative thanks to some developers that feel software should be free. Open source applications, for businesses that are willing to look into them, can be very useful.
What is open source?
The open source movement is something that has only recently emerged. The concept is that software should be free, since the hardware can already cost a lot. As such, these programs are free. There is also an added layer of complexity to it, since the source code of the software is also free. The programming code used to create it can be altered to fit the needs of anyone else who acquires a copy. The only restriction is that credit is given to the original programmers and that any product made from the source code is kept free. This cost-less model can have a number of benefits for a business in the Philippines.
Benefits
Companies outsourcing to the Philippines might be surprised at the amount of software that is open source, as well as how many functions it covers. Among the most popular are Internet browsers and office productivity suites, but there are also other programs that fit. Not all free software is considered open source, since a number of free programs do not give out the source code. An intriguing benefit for a business in the Philippines, if it employs a programmer, is the possibility of making alterations to an open source program in-house, to tailor it better to their specific needs. There is also the possibility of finding a variation or add-on to a program that covers niche requirements or needs.
Drawbacks
The biggest drawback of a business in the Philippines that depends on open source software is that it doesn’t cover everything. Niche programs particularly don’t have open source counterparts, for example. There is also the issue of a lack of technical support – most of them only have experienced users to provide this.
Open source software can be very useful for a business in the Philippines that doesn’t want a dent in the budget by licensing all its software. It isn’t going to cover everything that firms outsourcing to the Philippines might need, but it can be useful for many of the basics.
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