Open Source CMS vs. Commercial CMS: It’s On
Get ready to party…
It’s the great debate – no, we’re not talking about good taste vs. less padding… We’re talking about open source vs. business CMS software, a discussion that occurs regularly in offices around the world.
Does open source really mean free? Can I find support for it? How much is it worth to have a company that provides support and training? These are the kinds of questions Web Team executives grapple with all the time.
The case for open source CMS software
Many open source CMS systems offer a good amount of functionality and flexibility as part of their solution at no cost. This is a huge selling point because business CMS software can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $500,000). However, readers should understand that open source does not always equal ‘free’: there are open source CMS systems that are ‘for profit’. Also, just because the software may be free, you still have to pay to develop, deploy, and host it, just like commercial systems.
Another advantage of open source CMS systems is the community aspect. While true technical support is rarely available for open source CMS systems, there are forums, blogs, and other online communities to provide support. The question is when you really need help, where can you get it? On the other hand, because the concept of open source is that developers can manipulate the code, if you’re a good enough developer, you should be able to fix your own problems (in theory).
Ultimately, ensuring early (and successful) adoption of any CMS implementation relies heavily on access to training and documentation resources. This is an area where commercial software has a big advantage because open source training can be hard to find.
The case of commercial CMS software
If you want to use a great piece of software that someone else has created, the company should be entitled to compensation for your work. It’s not the most eloquent argument, but that’s CMS’ business stance and in a capitalist market, who can blame them? You may not like spending thousands of dollars on software (who does), but if it does what you need, constantly releases new versions (and features), and offers technical support and training, it’s a worthwhile purchase.
Also, while the community aspect is a compelling argument for open source, many commercial CMS providers also offer that approach. The CMS we support, Ektron CMS400.NET, has full documentation and technical support, as well as managing the Ektron DevCenter, an interactive forum environment. Not only are the answers there, but there are also people to explain them or help address new questions.
Finally, it is important to note that business CMS software is developed for business users with business use in mind. While we can argue the merits of gain vs. In serving customer needs, open source software can sometimes lack direction, as developers may be more interested in creating a cool app than something really useful.
The verdict
With a clear and acknowledged bias towards commercial CMS software (because we regularly recommend Ektron’s CMS), we strongly believe that the extra value and value-added services that a commercial CMS software provides is worth the extra cost. That’s not to say it’s the right solution for everyone: if you’re on a budget of less than $15,000, it’s probably not a realistic option. However, drawing on our vast CMS experience, training and support simply cannot be underestimated when it comes to a successful CMS implementation and those are two areas where the business CMS clearly wins.
