Don't Be Fooled By Open Source Project Software
In recent years, the “open source” movement has gained a number of converts, in part as a backlash against the dominant position occupied by certain software companies, and in part an idealistic reaction to the proprietary, license-fee driven software development model. Project software has not been immune to this trend either, and various entities have created free versions of application software designed to replicate the functionality, and even the feel, of Microsoft Project in order to facilitate project management activities in various industries. While some of these open source solutions are of solid quality, they do not necessarily represent better value than Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) delivered alternatives.
Free is Always Better - Right?
Open source software essentially means that an application has been developed through collective efforts, sometimes initiated by a single person or entity, and then released into a community which is free to adapt, modify and utilize the application as they see fit.
The immediate reaction of many consumers when offered the choice between receiving a product or service for free or paying for it is usually a feeling of excitement and pleasure, then followed by the question, “What’s the catch?” This is quite legitimate, because experience teaches us that rarely can we avail ourselves of high quality goods or services without some financial burden being attached.
One thing to consider is what is known in business circles as “Total Cost of Ownership” (TCO). Software-as-a-Service has gained momentum with many enterprise and individual computer users because in exchange for paying a recurring monthly fee, the user always has the latest version of the software available for use, along with product patches and support. Rather than having to pay a license fee for purchase of the software, and then face potentially costly upgrades a few years later, SaaS solutions eliminate these headaches. They also shift expenses associated with software from a Capital Expenditure to an Operational Expenditure, which is an accounting detail which does have real-world implications for many companies. This in part explains the rising popularity of Cloud computing, of which SaaS platforms are but one example.
Given the mission critical nature of project software for many organizations, which provides the business with a comprehensive file management system, boosts productivity and accountability, provides project templates and facilitates communication with both internal and external stakeholders, enterprises must be very careful about the products which they adapt and utilize on a day-to-day basis.
The Hidden Cost of Open Source Project Software
As suggested earlier, because something is free initially does not imply that there are no costs, in terms of time and money, involved in its use or maintenance throughout the product’s lifespan. This is especially true of project software, which is an often complex interaction of various functionalities and features which aggregate and store information in a common database.
In some instances, open source alternatives are little more than vaporware, offering poorly integrated features which do not perform as advertised or allow for much customization based on a user’s needs and preferences. Sure, the product is “free,” but in order to make it useful, the user will either need to upgrade to more robust pay versions of the open source platform, or spend time and money further developing and customizing the product to work.
Project management software, to be effective, needs to track a wide range of both customer-facing and internal data, and offer the ability to parse such information, deliver appropriate reports to appropriate parties, and ideally be operating system agnostic so that data can be shared and even manipulated on various platforms and devices. Such comprehensive solutions are generally not inexpensive to develop, much less maintain and upgrade over time, so being wary of those that claim otherwise is valid.
Why SaaS Is Worth a Second Look For Project Software
The SaaS model for software essentially acknowledges that the functionality provided by an application is a form of commodity, and rather than charge steep one-time fees and require the user to be responsible for updates and upgrades, establishes an ongoing service oriented model with modest fees paid on a monthly basis, sometimes based on volume and usage, and providing a more measurable return on investment (ROI) on a cost analysis basis.
Given the vital importance of project software to businesses of all sizes, finding the right application and just as importantly, the right application provider is critical and should not be undertaken without careful consideration of features and benefits, functionality, and the true total cost of ownership.