Introduction

Making sound, considered decisions is the basis of your job as a manager. This is naturally also true when it comes to making the decision about which computing environment or software package that your organisation should use. Even if you are not directly involved in the day to day operations of the ICT department, any new system will directly affect you and your fellow workers' daily working life, so it pays to keep yourself informed and make the best decision.

While the principle advantage of open source software - low or zero acquisition cost - is important, it is by far not the most important. There are many other advantages ranging from choice, flexibility, longevity, stability, security through to more general benefits such as community involvement and social good. There are also, naturally enough, disadvantages to open source.

By balancing the pros and cons of open source listed below against the needs of your organisation, you will be able to better come to a rational decision based on the many factors and effects - and not just on the simple cost factor. All organisations differ as do all open source packages, so selecting the right-fit of packages and software environment is a complex task that deserves a great deal of thought and consideration.