Internal Software Development

Many organisations write at least some software to forward their business goals. This software can be divided into two categories.

• Software that is critical to the organisation's competitive edge
• All other software

The first category of software must be closely guarded, for on it depends an organisation's success: this software definitely earns its keep!

Internally developed software in the second category is however an expense: whilst it is necessary to the function of the organisation, keeping it "secret" presents no business benefit. Open source presents a way to minimise the cost of such software - by reducing the maintenance overheads.

Open source development tools also present a way to reduce the cost of even the first category of internal software.

This is a complex subject and you are referred to an Interweft occasional paper that provides much more detail on this.

Interweft's services in this area cover

• Identification of critical, "competitive edge" software and hence the size and scope of the potential open source opportunity.
• Open source vs proprietary software development tool comparison.
• Specific assistance in taking internal software into the open source sphere.