Most business owners spend a lot of money on proprietary software, but is it a valid expense? While some cases require proprietary software, there are other cases in which businesses can utilize alternatives. As explained in the video report below, there are alternatives that are both free and open source.
Since many businesses use Microsoft Office, first on the list of options is Open Office. This software includes programs for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, databases, and more. The interface is very similar to Microsoft Office and other similar office suites.
GnuCash is another alternative that is a free accounting software. With this software, users can track income, expenses, bank accounts, and stocks. Other features include the monitoring of accounts payable, accounts receivable, and detailed reporting. Users can also import data from programs such as Microsoft Money and Quicken and can export data to spreadsheets such as Microsoft Excel.
Thirdly, GIMP serves as an open source substitute for Photoshop. Although not as comprehensive as the Adobe product, GIMP does allow users to produce simple Web graphics, modify product photos, and create flyers and other marketing materials. GIMP's interface is very similar to Photoshop's interface and all the images created can be saved in a variety of formats.
Last but not least is Zimbra. This software is a free collaboration suite that serves as a high-level email program. It provides email, calendar, document storing and editing, instant messaging, and easy-to-use administrative controls. The open source edition of Zimbra also integrates with other email clients such as Outlook and Apple Mail. As mentioned earlier, all these programs are free and are compatible with most common operating systems. By using them, businesses could see significant savings in investments and maintenance costs.
On the flip side, savings should not be the only motivation for utilizing this software. A business should be able to function just as it would with proprietary software. Fortunately, since it is free, businesses have adequate time to test the software before they make a complete transfer.
How does your business view these open source alternatives?
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Comments
Open Source Software Rocks!
I agree, proprietary software products sure do have their number of flaws! Not only that.. they are proprietary and the very meaning of that word in itself means that the companies behind these products are only trying to make a buck andthey spend a ton of money on marketing and advertising rather on correcting the usual secret large number of defects and making their products simple and cheap. They also play the gimmicks of upgrade costs and convincing the customers to purchase maintenance plans, etc. This is why developers went to open source! A couple of my favorites are PHP and MySQL. There are so many more out there and the support is incredible, compared to the type of support you typically receive with proprietary software.
Open Source Software
We have been using the open source alternatives for a few years now and saved a whole load of money. Open source software is also more stable and secure than the usual windoze options. Recently we tried out the open source Linux Mandriva desktop operating system, which is far more reliable than windoze and also is free so we no longer have to fork out licence money to microsoft.
Totaly agree. We pay 100%
Totaly agree.
We pay 100% for proprietary software and basically we use only 40% of the features.
Not very nice at ROI level....
Where ever possible I turn to free versions.
Too many times I had the problem that software versions are not supported anymore, while the program is still serving well. Every 18 months or so an upgrade....
I prefer to spend that money on my personnel....
Open Source
I've been using Open Office for some time now and for general office use it's excellent.
After using Photoshop I could not get on with GIMP try as I might.
Unforntunately although 3d is getting pretty well covered now by open source applications, the use of Linux etc doesn't always hack it with top end Multi Media operations such as video editing.
I would extremely glad if someone could suggest otherwise.
Working with pdfs
Can you recommend a good alternative to Adobe for converting pdfs so that they can be edited?
PDF, Portable Document Files
PDF, Portable Document Files I think this link may help you
Re
While most of the world uses Outlook Express, Outlook or Lotus Notes, the Mozilla Foundation has evolved it's Thunderbird Email client.
Not all software is bad.
Web Softwares for Online Businesses
Sources of downloads
One thing to check when you download any "free" software is the source. Make sure you are downloading the proper version of the software.
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