Open Source, or Free Software, plays a fundamental role in the software ecosystem by promoting collaboration, transparency and customization. It rests on a basic principle: guaranteeing users the four fundamental freedoms. These freedoms ensure that every user can:
- Use the program for any purpose,
- Study how it works by accessing the source code,
- Modify and adapt the program to their own needs,
- Distribute copies of the program, whether the original or a modified version.
These principles give companies full control over their software tools, thus avoiding excessive dependence on a vendor. However, Open Source has also evolved over time, giving rise to hybrid models such as dual-license solutions, which reconcile the open philosophy with economic realities.
Why Open Source?
By nature, Open Source guarantees these four freedoms, which makes it an ideal model for companies wishing to:
- Customize their software to their specific needs,
- Reduce costs related to proprietary software licenses,
- Contribute to improving the software while benefiting from the community's contributions,
- Strengthen security thanks to code transparency, which can be audited and improved by everyone.
ERPs like Odoo perfectly illustrate this philosophy, offering an Open Source community edition that lets companies start with essential features while keeping total freedom.
Dual-license software: What is it?
Some solutions, such as Odoo or MySQL, adopt a dual-license model, often called the "Community-Enterprise" model. This model lets vendors combine an Open Source version with a proprietary version, offering advanced features to meet companies' specific needs.
- Community edition (Open Source): completely free, it gives access to the core features while respecting the four freedoms.
- Enterprise edition (proprietary): includes advanced features and technical support, with stricter license restrictions on some modules.
Advantages of the dual-license model
- Flexibility for users: companies can choose between a free version and a premium version, according to their needs and budget.
- Customization and innovation: the Open Source version allows freedom to experiment and innovate thanks to the four freedoms, while the proprietary version offers advanced features.
- Access to support: the Enterprise edition generally includes technical support and continuous updates, giving companies peace of mind.
- Economic balance for the vendor: this model lets vendors generate revenue from proprietary licenses while maintaining an Open Source foundation.
Drawbacks of the dual-license model
- Complexity for users: choosing between a Community and an Enterprise edition can sometimes be difficult, especially if critical features are reserved for the proprietary version.
- Dependence on proprietary modules: some key features may be reserved for the Enterprise edition, limiting purely Open Source flexibility.
- Functional limits: in the Community edition, companies may encounter functional limitations, sometimes requiring a move to the Enterprise edition.
- Cost: for large companies with significant functional needs, the cost of proprietary modules can become high.
Odoo uses a dual-license model: Case study
Take Odoo as an example. Its Community edition is fully Open Source, thus respecting the four freedoms, and gives companies access to many essential modules. However, the Enterprise edition offers additional modules and technical support that are often crucial for larger companies. This model has been key to Odoo's longevity. Fabien Pinckaers, Odoo's founder, has in fact said several times that without this dual-license model, Odoo would probably never have survived. Today, Odoo is a financially solid company, giving customers a guarantee of continuity and long-term support, which is reassuring for companies looking to invest in a sustainable, scalable solution.
Free software everywhere
Today, free software is everywhere, with an estimated share of 70 to 90% of deployed software in some sectors such as financial services, technology and the public sector. Why such enthusiasm?
Open source solutions and free software appeal for their flexibility, their enhanced security (thanks to community review), their cost savings, and their continuous adaptability through active communities. This transparency and interoperability guarantee continuous evolution.
Even proprietary solutions now massively incorporate open source components: it is estimated that 50 to 75% of proprietary software includes open source building blocks, notably in cloud infrastructure, databases, and development frameworks.
Open Source: freedom, sovereignty and collaboration
By offering the ability to control, adapt and distribute their solutions, open source software and free software give companies the power to build a freer, more collaborative software ecosystem. For Auguria, these solutions represent not only the future of the digital enterprise, but also a solid answer to the demands of sovereignty and technological independence. At a time when digital sovereignty is becoming a major issue, the dual-license Open Source model stands as an alternative to the solutions of the big vendors (notably the GAFAM). It offers a balance between freedom, innovation and control for users, while ensuring the economic viability of vendors. This hybrid model guarantees autonomy of choice while meeting the needs of companies of all sizes, from startups to large groups.