Unpacking the true meaning of 'open' for businesses in the data age

Flexibility, avoiding vendor lock-in, and driving innovation

News By Michael Flower published 24 September 2024

Data is undeniably the driving force behind today’s technology-driven world and ‘open’ is the latest buzzword making waves in the space. But what does this trend really mean for businesses?  

So, what does “open” really mean? 

Whilst ‘open’ is a word that gets thrown around a lot in the data and developing world, it’s not always clear what it means. More generally, ‘open’ refers to data that is freely available for anyone to use, share, and build on. But many also see it as exclusively meaning “open source” which can be limited and misleading.  

Ultimately, every vendor chooses what portion of their solution will be closed vs open source, meaning its definition varies considerably. This lack of clarity can cause difficulties for businesses looking to make decisions based on their individual needs. Although vendors might seem open, you often have to dig below the surface and look at the real-world customer experiences to see what it means in practice. Does “open” really mean “free”? Or is it a different kind of constraint? 

Businesses need to be clear about the balance between closed and open that they are willing to accept. When vendors and businesses are on the same page, they can harness robust ecosystems, reduce costs, and retain the power to innovate without vendor constraints.  

Michael Flower

System Engineer at Dremio.

The true value of openness

At its core, the concept of openness helps businesses reduce switching costs between vendors. It highlights the importance of a diverse ecosystem where customers can choose compatible solutions tailored to their individual business needs, while recognizing that no single vendor can satisfy all of their evolving requirements.  

A dynamic ecosystem of solutions will ultimately give the business and their customers what they desire. One single vendor simply cannot solve all of your business needs and problems, but the meaning of ‘open’ should enable businesses to easily adapt to changing technologies and market conditions.  

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