| In combining Open Source software and offshore | | | | can happen" scenario. In other words, even if you |
| development, high quality, cost effective software is | | | | make the wrong choice in outsource software |
| more easily obtainable. In fact, I suggest Open | | | | development partner, your code, your infrastructure |
| Source should always be a part of any outsourced | | | | will still be based on Open Source which can be |
| software development, but that is a different topic. | | | | parlayed to different developers much faster than |
| The focus of this article is how Open Source | | | | completely original code. In the worst case scenario, |
| provides a foundation of trust and confidence when | | | | if the software being developed is not Open Source |
| using and/or providing offshore software | | | | based, it will be much more difficult to replace the |
| development services. | | | | developers. |
| When purchasing software development services, | | | | "Open Source" can mean different things to different |
| many people make the mistake of assuming that the | | | | people. In this article, my definition of Open Source is |
| only reason to choose one person/company over | | | | intended to mean complete products, tools, libraries, |
| another are pure coding skills. Simple as that right? | | | | etc. with a vibrant community. (Read Succeeding with |
| Wrong. Developers also assume the person/company | | | | Open Source for one reference on choosing Open |
| procuring software development cares deeply about | | | | Source software) It does not simply mean the |
| Java vs. .Net vs. PHP vs. RoR. Wrong. Well, ok, | | | | delivery of source code with the solution. In |
| maybe both of these points are not entirely wrong. | | | | particular, the Open Source product, tool and or |
| Yes, people do care about coding prowess and | | | | library needs to have other established resources, so |
| technology infrastructure, but I believe there are | | | | new developers time spent analyzing code and |
| many other factors when making an outsourcing | | | | infrastructure can be reduced. New developers to the |
| decision. | | | | project will spend much more time "getting up to |
| People who purchase software want to have | | | | speed" on architecture, if the software is not using |
| confidence and trust in the people they choose to | | | | community based Open Source software. |
| develop software. Confidence and trust can be | | | | When implementing an outsource development |
| earned over time, but how does it start? Well, of | | | | strategy, choose developers that will use Open |
| course, the software developer(s) needs to have | | | | Source software in the overall solution. Using Open |
| good references, case studies, professionalism and | | | | Source in the solution provides a shorter path to |
| applicable skill sets. But, even after reviewing these | | | | confidence and trust in outsourced software |
| factors, there might still be nagging doubts about | | | | developers. Put another way, open source plays a |
| trusting someone you have never met and the | | | | positive part in the risk management of the decision |
| person or company was not a referral from one of | | | | to outsource. By choosing offshore software |
| your contacts. | | | | development partners that deliver based on |
| Open source software is the foundation for | | | | community established Open Source with appropriate |
| confidence and trust when choosing to outsource | | | | license for your needs, quality and the most |
| software development. It is the catalyst to an | | | | competitive cost can be obtained. |
| acceptable answer to the "what is the worst that | | | | |