The Open Source Business Alliance (OSBA) is Europe’s largest network of companies and organisations developing, building and using Open Source software. Today they released their outstanding guide on how to buy Open Source Software (German, English). Why is that important? It is easy to read. A cut out and keep companion that helpfully explains the realities of Open Source to someone new to the field. In particular – it addresses the special attention required when acquiring the competent support you need.
With proprietary software it is generally safe to assume that a company’s ability to compile or brand a version of the software implies their ability to support it. With Open Source however, it is important to assess this claim by examining the company’s deeper contributions to the underlying projects, since any developer can follow the steps to compile the software.
Collabora Productivity is pleased to have contributed, alongside some outstanding partners, at the OSBA to these extremely helpful guidelines and criteria aimed at helping public administration make informed decisions as they tender for, and buy Open Source solutions. It is pleasing too to see the LibreOffice developer certification programme recognized here as a blueprint. Such certifications allow Open Source projects to easily contribute towards making procurement easier. By flagging competence in fixing and improving the software based on proven, peer-reviewed code changes, procurement can help drive re-investment back into improving the code-bases that we all depend upon.
By incorporating the steps outlines in the OSBA paper, procurement buyers will more easily realise their goals of digital sovereignty, and ensure successful Open Source deployments supported by competent suppliers, positively contribute to the sustainability of their chosen Open Source software projects.
Read the full OSBA position paper here (German, English), or get in contact with us to find out how we can help you!
