Open Source or Proprietary

What is Open Source?

Essentially, an open source software freely shares its source code. You can freely modify the source code, share or distribute the software, or collaboratively work in a project depending on the open source license attached.

Security
Most users, especially larger business entities, fear the open source approach; misunderstanding open source software as a vulnerability to their system while it is actually the opposite. The availability of the source code easily enables anybody to check it for security issues and vulnerabilities where it is unlikely to have malicious code. On the other hand, you cannot verify security in a proprietary software, you depend on the hands of the product's development team which is rather few. While in a community-driven open source project, the development and code-testing is done faster by the larger quantity of participants. Security in any software lies in the safekeeping of your data. As long as your data is secured and the software is threat-proofed then you need not worry. You can even apply your own custom code on the open source software where only you have access depending on the software license.

Reliability
Software had always been tailored for efficient data processing to minimize load on the hardware. The community can rigorously test software releases faster and in more environments. Since open source community tend to have more coders, documentation is a priority to keep the source code readable, standardized and efficient. Usually, there are core people that decide and manage changes in the source code where a version to version archive is maintained. Unlike in a proprietary software development, the programmers are fewer and are prone to pressure due to deadlines making it susceptible to unreliable rushed coding.

Data Integrity
Since open source servers are highly secured, more than 80% of web servers are open source as of this post date. This reflects the stability, history and accuracy of data processed with open source software. It is also noteworthy that stable codes and algorithms contribute a large part in a system's data integrity.

Support
If in-house developers are not available, the community can readily support your requirement. Moreover, you can acquire open source licenses that can provide support directly from the primary provider. Community forums and documentation are also available for you to dive in and try yourself.

Experience
As a developer and user who grew with proprietary software, I have fairly accustomed myself to open source solutions. Recent years have revolutionized the open source movement where even Microsoft has followed by making dotNet open source and letting MS SQL be available for Linux Servers in the near future.

I have applied open source solutions in my work and personal use. From ERP to database, firewall to file server, mailbox to telephony, desktop to tablet, documents to layout design, and even 3D modelling to video editing, open source can provide.