Should You Consider Open Source Business Intelligence?

If you're researching your options for implementing business intelligence, you may have run across the concept of open source business intelligence (OSBI). Is this a viable option for you?

What Exactly Does "Open Source" Mean?

Open Source simply means that the software developer has made the source code (all the computer language instructions that tell their software what to do and how to do it) freely available to the public for download. For the benefit of those who just want to use the software and not get into the code, they'll typically make the sofrware itself available for free download. But because the actual source code is available to anyone, developers all over the world can add to the software's capabilities.

If They're Giving It Away, How Do They Make Money?

They're not necessarily "giving it away." They're operating on a different business model.

Traditional software developers keep their code to themselves and charge you a license fee up front to use it. Typically as part of that deal they'll include maintenance (free upgrades and technical support) or they'll sell you those upgrades at a reduced rate (say, 10-15% of the original purchase price per year). When the next major release of the software comes out, they'll typically want to charge you a new license fee for that new release.

Open source developers, on the other hand, don't charge you a license fee up front. They typically make their money on the back end of the deal, especially by charging you for technical support, which includes things like help with installation and troubleshooting.

Is Open Source BI Software Any Good?

According to IT industry watcher Gartner, OSBI products have matured to a point where implementation is poised to increase rapidly over the next few years. Two of the names that are drawing a lot of attention are Pentaho and Jaspersoft.

Should I Consider OSBI Now?

If you have access to technical resources who can troubleshoot installation and other technical support issues, OSBI may be a huge cost saver for you over proprietary BI vendors. If you're on your own or have a thin IT staff, take the time to research exactly what your cost of ownership will be. Otherwise you risk being disappointed when you get what thought was "free" only to pay on the back end for support to get it running or, worse, end up feeling you wasted your time and starting over.