Running a business is expensive. There’s always something else demanding your budget’s attention, and traditional databases can put an especially large dent in that budget. You have to pay for a whole herd of features, most of which you probably don’t even need, and those licensing fees just keep going up.
That’s where open-source databases come in. They offer the same performance and security, but without the price tag and with plenty of exclusive advantages. We sat down with Bart and Kim, our managing partners, to discuss why going open source is not only a valid alternative, but often a superior solution altogether.
Cost savings
Let’s address the elephant in the room, or should we say the zebra in the server room? Open-source databases like PostgreSQL and MySQL can help you keep costs down by eliminating licensing fees and other vendor-related costs, as we’ve explained before. Kim has a great example from personal experience:
“I used to do the renewals for a well-known database supplier, and you can’t just close contracts or modify your services. There are always recalculations, administrative fees, and other costs. Open-source subscriptions, on the other hand, are straightforward and easy to manage. Need to scale down or cancel? No problem—no hidden fees or complicated negotiations.”
Investing in freedom and flexibility
Whatever you save, you can redirect to areas that truly drive growth and innovation. Think of what you could achieve with the money you save on licensing fees alone! Invest in new marketing initiatives, research and development, security, training, or a fun teambuilding activity.
However, the benefits of open source extend far beyond just saving and reallocating money. It’s also about gaining control, flexibility, and the power to choose. As Kim puts it:
“Clients are starting to realize they don’t have to be locked into a single vendor’s ecosystem. Open source gives them the freedom to choose the solutions and support partners that best fit their needs and budget.”
At this point you might be wondering what that freedom looks like, so let’s take infrastructure costs as an example.
- If you need to handle more users, data, or transactions, open source lets you scale your infrastructure without having to upgrade your licenses or service tier.
- If you’re working on-prem, you’ll also benefit from cheaper hardware since you’re not locked to a single vendor’s often overpriced and upsold machines.
- If you handle your workload in the cloud, migrating to another cloud provider is much easier with open-source software as well. Take advantage of competitive pricing!
Just what you need
A common misconception about open source is that it means sacrificing quality or performance. In reality, the biggest difference is that closed-source solutions always want to give you the best of the best (for their bottom line), while open-source databases focus on providing the features and functionality you actually need.
Reducing your stack to a solid set of essentials will result in better performance, easier management, and, of course, lower costs. Bart explains it as follows:
“Would you rather have one expensive, high-performance sports car, or ten reliable, affordable vehicles? With open source, you can distribute your workload and gain redundancy without the luxury price tag.”
Supported by a global community (and Zebanza)
One of the biggest hesitations we hear from businesses considering open source is the fear of being left without adequate support. But as Kim points out, the opposite is true:
“One of the best things about open source is the incredible community behind it. You’ll gain access to a vast network of experts who are always willing to help.”
Having access to a global group of enthusiasts results in some tangible benefits:
- When you encounter a challenge, you’ll be able to solve issues faster and more effectively. Let your experts dive into community documentation or start a thread on a GitHub repo – there’s probably someone that had the same issue and solved it.
- Things move fast in open source, so it’s also a breeding ground for new ideas and innovative solutions. Features are typically added sooner (and bugs fixed faster) in open source since you can rely on so many experts.
“The PostgreSQL community is massive! They’re passionate about innovation, so new features and solutions emerge quickly,” Bart explains. “It’s incredible to see, and even the largest names in software simply can’t offer something similar.”
At Zebanza, we understand the power of this community and we’re active participants ourselves. Our experts engage in online discussions, and we both host and attend industry events like PGDay Belgium and PostgreSQL Conference Europe. This allows us to connect our clients with the right resources and expertise within the open-source ecosystem.
Are you ready to unlock the power of open source?
Open source offers a compelling blend of cost savings, flexibility, innovation, and community support – a powerful combination that can transform your business.
If you’re ready to take advantage of that combination, we’re here to guide you every step of the way. Contact us today to discuss your specific needs and discover how open source can help you achieve your business goals without breaking the bank.
For more detailed information, you can always reach out to us!
