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5 ways to modernize your IT approach with open source

Last updated: October 9, 2020

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Open source software powers much of the current innovation in cloud computing, automation, DevOps, artificial intelligence, and big data and analytics. In fact, 95% of IT leaders say open source is important to their infrastructure software strategy. Consider these five reasons to use commercially supported open source software to modernize your IT.

1 Stronger security and lower compliance risk

Mid-market companies rank cybersecurity as their top concern. This finding is not surprising given the risks of data loss and the tough penalties for noncompliance with privacy laws. Move your approach from proprietary software to open source to:

  • Boost your security posture—the more developers looking at your source code, the more fixes and updates will be available. 
  • Replace the conventional waterfall model of software production with a more modern DevSecOps approach that inherently creates more secure software by moving security into the design cycle.
  • Adopt an open hybrid cloud strategy to keep some critical applications and data on-premise where it is more secure. 
  • Avoid regulatory compliance or data sovereignty risks with an open cloud approach that lets you switch public cloud providers if one does not have instances located where you operate.

2 Better cloud utilization

The use of public and private clouds has transformed IT. You can make your cloud environments more efficient by deploying on a foundation of open software.

  • Standardize on open platforms to reduce the time and IT resources required to manage applications across public and private clouds.
  • Use an open container platform to bring the flexibility and efficiency of cloud management to hybrid and on-premise deployments.
  • Adopt an open hybrid cloud approach to gain interoperability, application portability, and cost savings.
  • Improve DevOps by bringing development and IT operations teams together on a common platform.
  • Bridge existing IT deployments and a cloud-native future with an open container platform.
  • Use a single open orchestration platform across clouds to significantly reduce your development and operational efforts.

3 Faster innovation at scale

Businesses thrive on technology innovation. However, rigid proprietary architectures and developer recruitment challenges can make innovation difficult. Standardize on open source software to move your business forward with more flexibility—and more room for innovation.

  • Benefit from the ongoing innovation delivered by a passionate, global open source community.
  • Augment your in-house resources with the collective talent of open source communities to become more competitive and responsive.
  • Adopt a single open platform, which reduces the complexity of running applications on diverse hybrid infrastructures. 
  • Freely modify source code to improve the software or customize it to your needs.

4 Reduce costs and avoid vendor lock-in 

Some proprietary software companies intentionally lock customers into their platforms. A lack of interoperability across complex environments can also inadvertently create vendor lock-in. In either case, you can avoid third parties controlling your data and applications—as well as your costs—by standardizing on open source.

  • Adopt open source software and container management and use the public cloud providers you prefer—IBM Cloud, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud. 
  • Freely modify your IT stack to work with (or without) any vendor because the code is yours—and not locked behind proprietary walls.
  • Avoid being locked into ever-increasing software license and support fees and upgrade costs.

5 Deep support and ready access to the latest software

While open source development offers many advantages, mid-sized companies gain additional benefits from using commercially supported open source software. For example, with a Red Hat® subscription you can:

  • Download supported versions of Red Hat software.
  • Learn from an ever-expanding Red Hat online knowledgebase.
  • Get support, training, and expert advice for working with Red Hat software.
  • Enjoy access to the latest software as soon as it is updated by Red Hat.
 
Read the e-book

To learn how to speed innovation, improve security, and modernize your IT infrastructure with open source, read the e-book.

Contact sales

To connect with a Red Hat sales representative about solutions for mid-sized organizations, contact us.