Open Source Vs. Proprietary Intranet Software
Open source vs. proprietary Intranet software debate is quite hot in the business circle and each has got its own followers. The supporter of open source Intranet software found it much more advantageous than proprietary Intranet software. But I personally find proprietary Intranet software much more efficient than open source. The reasons for my support to proprietary Intranet software is as follows:
- a) Although open source Intranet software is free for everyone, you need to have technical know how to get the things working. You need to install Intranet software and its associate database for efficient working of open source. Apart from this you need to configure appropriate application as well as content security system for providing secured access to the users as well as the content managers. This is not the case with proprietary Intranet software.
- b) Although open source Intranet software is becoming more easier to install day by day, but you still need to install it on your own. This means you not only have to learn about the associated tools but also about its each and every component. This is not at all required in proprietary Intranet software.
- c) As open source software is useally managed and build by a body of developers there is always a chance that people of the developers body start leaving the body one by one which may result in instability of the developers body. But this is not the case with proprietary Intranet software as it has the backing of established company such as Microsoft and IBM, giving you the complete comfort from an established company.
- d) Although open source software has advanced, but a lot still many people from the non-IT background do not take it seriously and they hardly believe its credibility as it is developed and maintained by unorganized group of technocrats. So it becomes very difficult to convince your senior manager. In case of proprietary Intranet as they have big names behind it everyone easily get convinced.
- e) As open source software are available without any rules and licenses, the security of your documents are always a big concern but in the case of proprietary Intranet software the obligation to different rules and regulation as well security provided by the established company makes you least worried about your document security.
All these above mentioned point proves the fact that although open source software is good but there are several lacunae in their system. So it is always better to go for proprietary Intranet software rather than open source Intranet software.