Open Source

More than three million organizations use it, more than 65 million people work with it, and there are more than 200 million repositories for open source software (i.e. OS or OSS) worldwide. These numbers show: Open source software is an inherent part of the digital economy, and today it is also a component of almost all innovation processes. “Indeed, it is impossible to imagine today's world without open source software: it is often the first choice of companies and in many cases is in no way inferior to software from commercial providers,” says Christian Prasse, head of strategy at Fraunhofer IML. “By now, it also seems obvious that the digital transformation of the economy cannot succeed without using open source.”

“The potential of open source software for the realization of an Industry 4.0 is very large and not yet exhausted. This primarily concerns agility potentials and the accompanying acceleration of development using open standards – from the data model and algorithms to the communication interface. At the same time, open source is the primary means of preserving digital sovereignty. This is particularly true for Germany and Europe.”

Prof. Dr. Dr. h. c. Michael ten Hompel

The uncertainty that many companies feel when it comes to using open source software is a significant obstacle in their path towards entering the world of open source. “The use and application of open source still requires a lot of explanation in companies,” the researchers at Fraunhofer IML know. “But whether it's the Internet of Things, machine learning or immersive technologies such as virtual reality - again and again, open source hardware and software is the basis and driver of change.” The expertise of Platform Industry 4.0 once again highlights the very specific benefits of open source software: pursuant to that, it favors the innovation speed of companies - not only of corporations but especially of small and medium-sized enterprises. According to a study by the digital association Bitkom, these companies are now even more likely to pursue an open source strategy.

Open source software usually wants to be adapted, embedded, or supplemented before it is used – which sometimes requires support, e.g. in adapting the software to its specific use case. Ultimately, however, it is also about companies developing business models based on the solutions that are available to them free of charge, with which they can put themselves in a better position for the future and generate more revenue. “The open source experts at Fraunhofer IML support companies in becoming familiar with open source and adapting the corresponding software,” says Christian Prasse.

The offer includes for example workshops in which companies can evaluate the benefits of using open source components or developing open source hardware and software for themselves and projects in which the experts take over the integration into business processes or adaptation of components or services for companies by the specialist departments of Fraunhofer IML.