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3 Issues with Open-Source Software That MSPs Can Solve

3 Issues with Open-Source Software That MSPs Can Solve

Open-source software (OSS) is software with open code that anyone can improve, inspect, modify and distribute, and there are more options than ever, with more input from contributors and higher quality.

Many MSPs rely on open source software heavily, and with good reason. It’s free and fully customizable. With so many IT specialists working on the code, bugs are generally resolved quickly. And with open source, you aren’t dependent on a vendor who may suddenly abandon the product and leave you searching for alternatives.

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However, OSS has many issues as well, and this is where MSPs can help their clients. What follows are three main problems with open source software and how managed service providers can help to fix them.

#1. Installation of Operating Systems

Today, open source Linux-based operating systems are much more user-friendly than they were 10 years ago, as most Linux distributions now come with a graphic interface.

However, there are still many aspects of Linux that users may not understand, such as bootloader and disk partitioning. Linux-oriented software often has all the necessary features pre-configured, but this is not always the case.

Without an experienced IT professional, users may have many unanswered questions and unresolved issues, which lower productivity. Managed service providers can be a great source of help with Linux configurations.

#2. Installing and Updating Apps

This is another issue with open source software that can seriously hinder the productivity of workers in any company. This is especially true for those working on Linux-based operating systems, as installing open source apps on Windows usually follows the same process as any other type of software.

Moreover, such apps also often have specific installation packages for different Linux distributions. The complexity increases as one finds dependencies to install separately from the main software. And then some apps come with no installation package and must be compiled manually (a task almost impossible to complete for a layperson).

Another worry is software updates. While most Linux distributions support automatic updates by default, some software not included in the package may need to be updated manually.

Users will definitely need help with completing these tasks, and they will be happy to outsource them to a seasoned IT expert.

#3. Security

Security is one of the biggest problems with open source software that end users may encounter. Unfortunately, open source software does not always guarantee 100% security. Because the source code is open, an attacker may find a vulnerability and exploit it. And with OSS, if any breaches occur, there is no vendor to help users.

On the other hand, this issue is not as big as it may seem at first. Although anyone can create a disruption (or a breachable vulnerability), another person can spot the problem and fix it.

If members of your team have experience in working with open source software, it’s possible to check the software before installing it, and thus protect your client from specific issues.

Conclusion

Although open source software may cause many problems for end users, its popularity continues to grow. This is why managed service providers should work to stay current on open source. Experienced specialists will be able to help clients with any issue they encounter. Open source specialists can also give you a competitive edge.