📚 What exactly is open source software?

Open source software is software where the source code can be viewed, modified and improved by anyone. Unlike closed proprietary software, open source offers complete transparency about how your applications work.

For Dutch companies, this means concrete advantages: no hidden functionalities, complete control over your data and the ability to make adjustments that perfectly align with Dutch compliance requirements such as GDPR.

Well-known examples of open source software you probably already use are Mozilla Firefox, PHP, and the Android operating system that runs on Linux. These technologies form the backbone of many modern business processes.

⭐ Why Dutch companies choose open source

🔍 Open source versus proprietary software: the Dutch perspective

🌍 The Dutch data sovereignty advantage

Why Dutch companies choose open source

• ✓ Complete transparency
  You know exactly how your software works and where your data goes
• ✓ No vendor lock-in
  Always the freedom to switch without data loss
• ✓ Dutch compliance
  Easy to adapt to local legislation
• ✓ Cost transparency
  No hidden costs or unexpected price increases

🛠️ Practical implementation for Dutch companies

For many companies, choosing software can be overwhelming, especially when you need to make this decision professionally. The reality is that every company is unique with its own challenges and needs.

A company with more than 300 employees may need a robust helpdesk to handle hundreds of customer messages, while a small communications company of 5 people is looking for a quick solution for their modest customer portfolio.

This pick-and-mix way of organizing your tools has clear advantages compared to proprietary software. You get a lot of flexibility in your toolchain. You can easily switch from a wiki knowledge base to a larger learning platform if needed.

💡 Expert insights: why open source automation is critical

🎯 Open source in practice: Dutch use cases

Software evolves at an incredibly high pace, and how it is developed and used evolves with it.
More than ever, open source software has become very accessible to people with very little technical knowledge.

A company can choose a collection of software products that fit together perfectly to cover every need. A secure Linux server, a wiki-style knowledge base, a lightweight messaging system for quick communication with customers, and a cloud-based storage system.

🚀 The Dutch open source revolution

Dutch companies are increasingly discovering the strategic advantages of open source software. At a time when more than 80% of companies have been hit by at least one successful cyber attack, open source offers the transparency and community-driven security that modern companies need.

Through the enhanced security measures of the developer network, companies can also enjoy reduced downtime because there is less need for virus checks or dealing with data loss.

💼 Open source implementation for Dutch SMEs

For SME companies, there are several important factors to consider: costs, number of users and support. Open source software addresses all these points effectively.

Many closed software solutions have a fixed subscription price that is only worthwhile if you have many users, making it unsuitable for many SME companies.