Independence: lower risk of being tied to one vendor (vendor lock-in).
Control over data: operation under your own authority or with a provider of your choice.
Transparency: open source code can be reviewed.
Cost: no licence fees but effort for operation and support.
Flexibility: adaptations and integrations are possible.
Examples
Nextcloud for file storage and collaboration, Jitsi and BigBlueButton for video conferencing, Proxmox for virtualisation, NetBird for remote access and Linux for workstations and servers.
Limits and pitfalls
Operation and updates need time and knowledge, internally or via a provider.
Support is not automatic: plan commercial support.
Check integration into existing systems and business applications.
Consider total cost over several years, not only licence prices.
Take training and employee acceptance into account.
A realistic start
Start with a defined area, a pilot or proof of concept, and assess result and effort. Mixed forms with commercial software are often the best solution.
open source businessdigital sovereigntyopen-source alternativesvendor lock-in
Frequently asked questions
Is open source suitable for companies?
Yes, in many areas. Operation, support and integration are decisive. A pilot phase brings clarity.
Is open source free?
The licence is usually free, but operation, maintenance and support cause costs.
What does digital sovereignty mean?
The ability to choose technology, data and providers autonomously and to switch when needed.