If you are reading this, you have probably come to a crossroad while building a website or an online application. Is it better to use a SaaS platform or is it better to use an Open Source Platform? That is the question? The answer to this dilemma will hopefully be determined below. In this post, we define ‘Platforms’, ‘CMS’, ‘SaaS’ and ‘Open Source’, and we will break down the pros and cons of Software as a Service when compared to the pros and cons of an Open Source Content Management Systems.

1. SaaS vs. Open Source
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2. Agenda
• Define: Platforms, Open Source, Hosted
• Discuss Pros and Cons of Both types of
systems
• The RIGHT Solution for your client
• Pricing Factors How to Quote?

3. What is a Platform ?
Definition:
Platform is a Framework within which software
is developed & software can function
• Platforms…
– make life easy for developers
– allow the small tasks to be done easily thus saving
time
– are a collection of facilities or services that can be
used to make life easy & more efficient

4. It‟s a Jungle out there!!

5. Open Source Platforms
Definition:
Open source describes practices in production and
development that promote access to the end
product's source materials
• Open Source…
– Can be described as “Freely distributed”
– Is all about Social , Community & Sharing
– Bunch of developers come together & build something
using all their skills that can be shared by others
– Code is freely available for everyone to see & build on

6. Open Source - Continued
• Normally the open source community is very
agile , quick to react and eager to help
• Open source offers freedom of expression to
people , they get to design “their” solutions to
“their” perceptions of “other’s” problems.
• Recently major corporations like Google &
Apple have been focusing a lot on Open
Source because of its obvious benefits

7. Open Source Examples
• A great example is the App Store , Apple will give a
free Development Kit to any developer who wants to
build an App for the iphone or ipad , no licenses , no
money.
• If the App sells the developer gets paid , the
Developer also has the choice to give the App away
for free
• EXAMPLES of OPEN SOURCE PLATFORMS : JOOMLA ,
WORDPRESS , DNN , BUSINESS EDGE

8. Hosted Platforms
• Hosted Platforms are based on the “SaaS”
model
• SaaS stands for Software as a Service
• This means you pay for use of the software
and not the software itself
• The service provider like your phone company
provides you everything (the phone , the
number , the service) & you pay for what you
use

9. Hosted Platforms Continued
• SaaS allows high end technology to be
available at very affordable prices by bringing
in the economies of scale
• Code is normally concealed and access is
restricted or controlled
• EXAMPLES OF SAAS PLATFORMS INCLUDE :
Business Catalyst (Adobe) , CAR DEALERSHIP
SITES (DEALER.COM OR DEALERSKINS.COM)

10. Open Source Pros
• Complete access to code - we can customize this type of
system to any extent , be it talking to the customers point
of sale system , integrate to their accounting system ,
create embedded flash applications , absolutely anything
is possible
• Open Source code - easy to understand code , well
organized & developed by people who love what they do.
• Support - hundreds of developers who know the system
inside out are available all over the internet , in addition
to that they have forums , blogs etc. you can google any
issue and find a fix.

11. Open Source Pros
• Applications & Modules : tons of modules or widgets
freely available: eg. if you wanted a real estate site
you could simply install a module and get done in 20
minutes
• Low cost of ownership : typical hosting fees range
between 5-15 dollars a month for an average site
• The Client "owns" the site so they can move it or host
it anywhere and they have access to all the code
• Zero Cost of Technology – Normally the source code is
completely free to get

12. Open Source Cons
• Complex Setup & install - a server has to be prepared
and setup so you need an expert to do this
• Managing a site can be complex as it is designed for a
basic level of technical skill
• Developers of Open Source tend to assume that it
will be used by other Developers , however this is
rapidly changing
• Simple functions maybe easy to perform , but you
have to know certain nuances of the system

13. Open Source Cons
• Design & Architecture is very opinionated , open
source allows freedom of expression, so an amazing
application may come with a quirky dependency ,
just because that‟s what the developer wanted to do.
• Multiple variants to one solution
• Too Many options
• High initial cost - since a lot more work needs to be
done to set this up

14. SaaS - Hosted Pros
• Cutting Edge Technology : The creators of the
Application upgrade the application centrally &
everyone benefits with the upgrade
• Easy to Manage : the user interface is very user
friendly
• Large Investments by creators : Normally these
initiatives are backed by capital so the associated
benefits are reflected

15. SaaS - Hosted Pros
• Well Packaged
• Well Documented
• Dedicated Support
• Heavily Featured to cover 80-90% of requisite
functionality
• Low to No cost upfront

16. SaaS - Hosted Cons
• No "ownership" : the client never really owns the
site , its more so a lease
• No Portability : the client cant host the site on their
servers
• Higher cost of ownership: Over time
• Limited customization : since you have no access to
code , you get stuck when you are faced with
advanced customization
• Limited "specialist" : its tough to find developers
who know the system inside out. As compared to an
open source system

17. Selecting the Right Solution
• Pricing Constraints : Does the math work?
Will they pay the higher monthly fee
(SaaS/hosted) or the higher setup fee (Open
Source)?
• Do they want to “Own” the site ?
– If NO, then SaaS is an option
• Will the Client be very „Hands on‟ with the
solution?
– If YES, then with SaaS they can break a lot less.

18. Questions?
Jamshaid (Jam) Hashmi
jhashmi@clicktecs.com
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