More Digital Sovereignty: Using Open Source in the Enterprise

What the article is about

The article says that open source software is not free of rules or work. A company that uses it still needs licenses, rules, support and a plan for running it. The author, Frank Benke, is the head of IT operations at HAHN Automation Group. He writes from real experience of running IT across nine countries.

Open source is not the same as free

Open source software is software whose code is public. Many people think it is free to use, but that is only partly true. Even a simple license file has conditions that must be followed. Companies also pay for support, staff time and building skills in their teams.

Key points from the preview

• Open source software still needs a license, even if the license is a short text file.
• The main costs are usually support and building know-how, not the license itself.
• The article says the way to run open source is less different from commercial software than many people think.
• The article says a company needs an operating plan for open source, just as it does for paid software.

Why it matters

Many organizations want to use open source to avoid vendor lock-in, which means being stuck with one supplier. Digital sovereignty means being able to control your own IT. This article shows that open source gives freedom, but it also gives responsibility. Companies need clear rules and skilled staff to get the benefits.

What to watch

• The full article, which covers project choice, governance rules, license types and company strategy.
• How public bodies in Germany, such as the state of Schleswig-Holstein, handle moves to open source.
• Whether more companies set up internal rules and know-how for open source software.