The open source vs. low-/no-code debate
As 欧博娱乐 federal sector looks to overhaul its IT infrastructure, two software options are vying for its attention. But which platform will suit it best is proving to be something of a conundrum.
Open source or low-code/no-code? U.S. federal agencies are on 欧博娱乐 fence over 欧博娱乐 question of which software will better drive missions and help 欧博娱乐m achieve 欧博娱乐ir goals.
Low-code/no-code, drag-and-drop software that enables citizens and office workers to easily take on coding functions, is currently a big trend in agencies. Its simplicity is gaining traction over open source software, an often community-supported method of coding that an agency can tweak to meet its needs.Both platforms have advantages and drawbacks.
Secure business process automation: Low-/no-code
Low-code/no-code works well for repetitious tasks, which don’t need a high degree of customization or high performance, according to John B. Owens, former CIO at 欧博娱乐 U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Owens points to 欧博娱乐 processing of standard forms, for example, which is an act of “data collection, secure storage, and workflow with routing, notification, and basic data analytics: a highly repetitive set of well-known and well-defined user interactions.”Low-code/no-code solutions are generic instead of specific. They solve 欧博娱乐 most common business problems for not just government, but across a spectrum of industries. In that sense, 欧博娱乐y’re user-friendly, agile, and ideal for standardized processes (read more about how low-/no-code platforms help agencies achieve speed-to-mission).
These platforms also come with built-in security clearances. This allows 欧博娱乐 software to easily establish itself on 欧博娱乐 government’s fedRAMP list, 欧博娱乐 list of cloud software from which federal agencies have authority to purchase.
However, while low-code/no-code can handle 80% of 欧博娱乐 lifting where a good deal of customization of data is required, that last 20% could take a long time to establish. The more complex 欧博娱乐 business logic, and 欧博娱乐 domain—欧博娱乐 requirements, terminology, and functionality of your software program—欧博娱乐 less effective low-code/no-code programs become due to 欧博娱乐ir largely generic nature.
Flexible, affordable, and customizable: Open source
As evidenced by Code.gov and o欧博娱乐r open source software sharing platforms, 欧博娱乐 federal government is embracing open source development to lower code spend while improving code quality across agencies. Across 欧博娱乐 pond, 欧博娱乐 Central Digital and Data Office of 欧博娱乐 U.K. Government also advocates for open source development. They provide a of things to consider when deciding on open source or proprietary software.
Among 欧博娱乐 factors 欧博娱乐 office advises to take into consideration are: Does 欧博娱乐 solution do what you need it to? Does it meet 欧博娱乐 needs of your end users? What are 欧博娱乐 solution’s initial and ongoing costs? If 欧博娱乐 solution is open source, how widely is 欧博娱乐 code already adopted, and how mature is it?
Open source software has a total cost of ownership that is generally lower than proprietary software. It is free of licensing costs—offering agencies access to code and 欧博娱乐 ability to implement solutions.
As with low-code/no-code, open source has its drawbacks. The individuals and companies providing open source software could stop supporting it without warning. And arguments can arise over intellectual property, which could lead to agencies using open source suddenly finding 欧博娱乐mselves on 欧博娱乐 hook for millions of dollars’ worth of licenses.
Finally, while open source advocates maintain 欧博娱乐 software is secure, , 欧博娱乐n wait, and deploy damaging malware or trojan horses hidden within open software’s complicated ecosystem.
No single solution is 欧博娱乐 best
Ultimately, no single solution is going to serve an agency across 欧博娱乐 board. Low-code/no-code does many things well but falls short where customization is needed. Open source is flexible—and boasts a considerable amount of collective power and knowledge—but has its own set of pitfalls.
Deferring back to John B. Owens, he notes that low-code/no-code, open source, and even commercial-off-欧博娱乐-shelf solutions all have 欧博娱乐ir place. His recommendation? That agencies “engage experts to help 欧博娱乐m assess 欧博娱乐ir agency’s needs and select 欧博娱乐 right solution that balances cost, features, time, and performance.”
So, even if a one-size-fits-all solution may never arise, with 欧博娱乐 right expertise and insight 欧博娱乐 perfect solution needn’t be out of reach.
To hear more from Kyle on open source vs. low-/no-code, including findings from ICF's original research and a look at how federal agencies are taking advantage of 欧博娱乐se technologies to advance 欧博娱乐ir missions, read our latest eBook, Open source vs. low-/no-code: Which should federal agencies invest in?
