ERP and Business

NaN·tic and CIESC explain the advantages of open source to business people

2 min read

Quick summary

A session organised with CIESC discussed how to choose business-management tools and the advantages of free and open-source software. The article stresses the value of analysing and testing solutions before acquiring them, as well as having access to source code to reduce dependence on the manufacturer and distributor.

Contents

NaN·tic and CIESC explain the advantages of open source to businesspeople

SABADELL — Business management software tools offer excellent capabilities for improving companies’ productivity, but they are very expensive and choosing the right one is not easy. NaN·tic and the Consell Intersectorial d’Empresaris organised a working breakfast that provided the keys to selecting the right software for a company.

What does a company need to improve its management? What tools are available on the market? What should be taken into account? Who should be involved in the decision-making process? All these questions were addressed during the session, which explained the advantages of free and open-source software and how to approach purchasing and installing this type of software. The president of CIESC, Francesc García-Planas, who introduced the session, recalled that “one of CIESC’s objectives is to contribute to the competitiveness of SMEs by disseminating innovative tools that are within reach, and free software deserves to be presented as a real, free and feasible alternative available on the market.”

For his part, NaN·tic’s general manager and co-founder, Albert Cervera, reviewed the origins of free software and gave examples of very popular programmes that use this technology, such as Android, Chrome and OpenOffice, to demonstrate that it is completely reliable. In fact, according to data from the CENATIC Observatory, 91% of Spanish ICT companies already use free software.

Cervera explained to the attendees the importance of analysing and testing a product when evaluating the programmes they may wish to install “because the information obtained during this process will save considerable costs when the product is acquired.” NaN·tic’s representative also stated that “a solution should never be rejected outright simply because it is free software”, and stressed that “choosing software whose source code is available will allow users to set the pace of the programme’s evolution rather than depend on the manufacturer and distributor.”

Things to consider when selecting software applications (9 min)

Free software in companies (7 min)

Summary of the event (35 min)

Full talk video (69 min)

Frequently asked questions

What criteria are suggested for selecting management software?

The session recommends analysing and testing available products, while assessing the company’s needs, the tools on the market and who should take part in the decision.

Why is open-source software presented as a business alternative?

Because it can provide useful capabilities to improve productivity, it is a real and feasible alternative, and its source code can be available for analysis and for following the programme’s evolution.

Why is it important to test a product before acquiring it?

The information obtained during analysis and testing helps assess whether the solution fits the company and can avoid unnecessary costs when it is purchased.

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