Free and open source software, or (FOSS), has grown in popularity over the past twenty years as a viable alternative to proprietary software.
For those needs that your vendor partners can’t quite meet, or if you want to be ahead of the curve in implementing a solution one or more of your clients lack, open source software can be the preferred option for managed service providers (MSPs).
The Benefits of Open Source
What is open source? According to opensource.com:
“The term ‘open source’ refers to something people can modify and share because its design is publicly accessible.”
There are many open source applications out there already. You may already be using them, sometimes unaware that they’re open source.
Free and open source software means that anyone is free to use, copy, study, change and redistribute it as they see fit. Community sharing is encouraged, which is in contrast to commercial proprietary software which is subject to copyright licencing.
Well-known open source software projects include:
- WordPress – a website content manager
- Gimp – an image editor
- Linux – an operating system
- Mozilla Firefox – a web browser
There are a number of benefits to using open source software:
Flexible and agile – instead of waiting for a vendor to develop a capability that you’re lacking in your MSP, you can adopt or develop an open source solution, and easily tailor it to your precise needs.
Efficient implementation – once you’ve identified what you need, you can get started on open source solutions immediately. Existing projects can be easily customised to suit your needs, and deployments are quick and easy.
Regular security updates – with a large community continually improving the code, it means more eyes looking out for vulnerabilities. And while the code is open, anyone can fix any loopholes. That is to say, there is no need to wait for a proprietary developer to spot, develop, test and apply a fix in the next update.
Cost savings – compared to proprietary equivalents, open source solutions are typically much more cost effective for similar capabilities. This gives smaller MSPs a chance to start small and scale if they’re working with limited budgets.
Open Source Communities
The free licence aspect means anyone can use or modify the software, and distribute the original or modified copies without having to pay royalties to previous developers.
Open source communities are self-governing and self-organising. With no-one directly in charge, it’s assumed that if a feature is needed enough, someone will write it and redistribute it – improving on the previous iteration – at least for their needs.
With hundreds of people working on developments and having free access to the source code, they are generally working to improve things all the time, making the software more stable and secure.
Communities like Github and Sourceforge are examples of sites where you can develop and code your own projects, and publish and share them to the community.
Getting Involved in Open Source Development
One of the best things about being an adopter of open source software is that you are free to modify it yourself, to suit your needs if you want to.
Open source development has much in common with the android DEV community, in that they both push innovation.
Getting involved in developing open source solutions has a number of benefits, besides making the software better and more secure.
- Improving your skills – whether that’s coding, analysis or writing
- Making friends – your contributions could build friendships with people sharing your interests
- Teaching others – asking others for advice in the communities, and paying it forward to others
- Build your portfolio – all your contributions help build your reputation in the community
A Guide to Open Source Applications for MSPs in 2023
As you may imagine, there are a great number of open source applications out there for MSPs.
To help you, James Steel of Akamai Linode, along with technology experts Tom Lawrence and Jay LaCroix, have created an eBook containing the best open source tools, covering growth, security, productivity, and much more.
The Ultimate 2023 Open Source Tech Stack Guide for MSPs provides all the information about each tool on a single page for easy reference, and explains:
- Key features
- Pros and cons
- Industry sectors
- Ease of deployment
- What the experts think
You can download your free copy of this brilliant eBook here:
The 2023 Open Source Tech Stack for MSPs
And here are a couple of great examples from the eBook: Invoice Ninja and Zammad
Invoice Ninja
Invoice Ninja is an online all-in-one invoicing, payment processing and tracking solution aimed at freelancers, consultants, small businesses, and of course, MSPs.
It’s completely free for up to twenty clients, and comes packed with some useful built-in features.
Invoice Ninja lets you:
- Create branded invoices
- Customise client portals
- Create online payment links
- Generate invoices from quotes
- Track time and expenses
- Automate recurring invoices and payment reminders
- Integrate with your CRM software
However, it has its limitations as well. For instance, it doesn’t integrate with third party tax calculation software, and the project planning could be better overall.
Jay LaCroix’s take on Invoice Ninja is: “Invoice Ninja is one of those applications that knocks it so far out of the park that I can’t think of a single reason not to use it. It’s not specific to one sector, so it’s a fit for just about everyone.”
Zammad
Zammad is a helpdesk and ticketing system which helps MSPs to manage support requests and streamline communication.
It has a simple, easy-to-use interface, enabling MSPs to provide efficient personalised support to their clients, and the community edition is free.
Zammad’s features include:
- Unified inbox for emails, chat and social media
- Automatic ticket creation and workflow routing
- Knowledgebase and self-service portal
- Time tracking and SLA management
- Customisable reporting dashboards
- GDPR and data privacy compliant
- Full audit history of all tickets
Despite this, there is limited sales and marketing functionality, and no built-in social media management. Also there is no in-built AI chatbot capability either.
James Steel said of Zammad: “If you’re looking for a ticketing system that has a modern interface, manages inbound email, and has a free community edition available, Zammad should absolutely be on your list for consideration.”
Conclusion
There is a wealth of great open source applications out there, and some of the advantages of selecting open source over proprietary software can make your MSP more efficient, cost-effective and flexible enough to meet the needs of your clients.
Sometimes necessity forces us to seek out open source alternatives, if regular applications don’t quite have the functionality our clients need. With a little tweaking, we can create solid solutions without having to wait for the commercial vendors to catch up.
This eBook from Akamai Linode provides a strong starting point for MSPs who are looking to find out more about the best open source tools on market at the moment.
What’s the best open source tool you use for your business? And have you developed a solution on the back of a open source project to fulfil a need for a client? Please let us know in the comments.
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I'm a small business owner, technical writer and blogger, with 15 years experience in corporate IT. I frequently attend MSP peer groups and create content relevant to IT service providers and business owners.
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