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The 6 disadvantages of using Open Source Software when creating integrations.

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Open source software has many advantages, such as cost savings and flexibility, and it allows you to position yourself as a municipality (or relatively new integrator) as a forerunner in the use of advanced technologies for public administration. But using it to create integrations also brings significant drawbacks, of course!

1. Maintenance and support

Unless you buy the software from a professional party, one of the biggest drawbacks of open source software is the lack of official support. This means that if problems arise, you often have to rely on community support, forums or hiring external experts. This is time-consuming and costly.

2. Compatibility issues

Open source integration solutions are obviously not specifically built to support Dutch government standards. This is because the ‘community’ is international and therefore development is often fragmented. As a result, different modules and plugins may not work together seamlessly as a result.

3. Security risks

Although open source software is often controlled by the community, there will always be security risks. Vulnerabilities may go undetected for longer and updates or patches may not be available as quickly as with commercial software. Especially with Open Source software that in turn consists of several other Open Source components. This can be especially problematic for integrations that process sensitive data, as is often the case with municipalities.

4. Complexity and Implementation

Implementing open source integration solutions can be complex and time-consuming. The technical knowledge required is often of a higher level than with commercial alternatives. This can lead to longer implementation times and higher costs for training and support.

5. Long-term Stability

Open source projects often depend on a small group of developers or volunteers and, of course, on other open source components that in turn have the same dependencies. For good reason, Gartner says: Many open-source assets are either undermanaged or altogether unmanaged once established within an IT portfolio. In addition, according to a global survey by Synobsis, 98% of open source transactions contain components that have been out-of-date for 4 years. If it is not clear by whom, and how open source projects are maintained, the stability and longevity of the integration solution can be compromised. This makes it difficult to rely on the long-term availability and support of the software.

6. Licence management

Although open source software is often free, there may still be licensing requirements that must be met. This is complicated and can have legal implications.

What we often see in practice:

  1. Maintenance: An organisation using an open source integration platform often faces a lack of quick technical support in case of critical issues. This can lead to extended downtime and organisational downtime.
  2. Security: A vulnerability in an open source library used for integrations more often than not leads to a data breach, especially if the organisation is not quickly aware of the vulnerability and able to patch it.
  3. Complexity: An IT team can spend weeks configuring and customising an open source integration tool, which not only delays the launch of many projects but also makes it more costly.

While open source integration solutions can be attractive because of their flexibility and cost savings, it is important to consider the above drawbacks. A thorough evaluation of your organisation’s requirements, available resources and potential risks is essential here.