Value Added Cloud (VAC) Providers

14 Votes

2024-11-13 Published, 2024-11-13 Updated
1728 Words, 9 Minute Read

Matt (Virtualisation)

Matt has been with the firm since 2015.

What is Value Added Cloud (VAC)

Everyone knows the faceless corporate cloud providers like Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, Amazon Web Services, Oracle, and others, but these companies are bulk providers selling their services in a do-it-yourself capacity. That is, you get a dashboard and you manage the services you have, deal with issues, set-up, configuration, and backup.

A Value Added Cloud provider is not a dashboard and DIY, but instead taking an active role in the provisioning process, including set-up, configuration, backup and support. A customer can come to a VAC like GEN, and ask "I need a 100 user NextCloud solution please", and the correctly-sized virtualisation is provisioned, NextCloud is installed, and configured before handing it over to the customer. This evolving market provides companies who do not want or cannot justify employing their own dedicated 'cloud managers' in house, access to the cloud and all the benefits it can offer.

Open Source

I think most people know what WordPress is, and that it's open source, but there are literally thousands of open source platforms that can solve pretty much any business need whilst embracing the freedom of open source.

When we talk about freedom with open-source, we're talking about the inherent flexibility that open-source provides. In a closed-source system, you get what you get and whilst you can configure it, you can't change it in any way, but in open-source you can change it to work exactly the way you want.

Open-source is also more secure, in that the code that operates the solution is scrutinised and audited by many people from many different organisations, whereas in closed-source, the code is only available to the company who developed and markets it.

In some cases, probably many, the competing open-source solutions are far superior to their complementary closed-source systems, and this is mainly due to the collaborative approach. If you choose an open-source system that, for example, provides an office application suite, and you then contract a company to build a new importer, then its 'fair' that this new implementation is released to the open-source project, as a way of giving back and supporting that project. This is what drives open-source development, and is why we have so many fantastic open-source projects.

Value Added

Whilst open-source is brilliant, setting it up isn't always point and click, actually rarely, and the initial set-up, configuration, as well as support and development are the primary blocks to business uptake. Large corporates can afford to employ people specifically to do this, smaller businesses often cannot.

Value Added, is offering the same solid cloud services, which is essentially virtualisation, but providing open-source software support as needed.

We have provided NextCloud, MatterMost, RocketChat, and many more to companies that would not have done so had they been left to do it themselves. We facilitate open-source by doing the initial installation and configuration for the customer, before handing it off, and then we're only a ticket away for any support that's required.

Together we can bring the power of open-source to smaller customers with none of the drawbacks and all of the benefits.

Development

As a policy, any development work that we take on for an open-source solution is committed back to the project, unless we're specifically instructed not to, or the development has little or no benefit to the project. Many open-source solutions have a plug-in framework that allows us to modify or enhance its function without having to actually change the core code, and this is a far better option if available. Examples of open-source development work are; changing colour schemes and branding, adding or removing fields or features, linking features to external applications or pipelines, triggering automation based on user input, and adding new features and functions.

NextCloud

Nextcloud is an open-source cloud collaboration platform that provides a secure alternative to proprietary closed-source services. It offers a comprehensive suite of features including file storage and synchronisation, calendar and contact management, collaborative document editing, video conferencing, and task management.

Nextcloud stands out from closed-source alternatives due to its focus on data privacy and control, allowing users to host their data on their own servers or trusted cloud providers. This ensures that sensitive information remains under the user's control, free from third-party surveillance or data mining.

Additionally, Nextcloud's open-source nature enables greater customisation, integration with existing systems, and community-driven development, resulting in rapid feature improvements and security updates. With support for various authentication methods, end-to-end encryption, and compliance with data protection regulations, Nextcloud provides a flexible and secure solution for organisations seeking to maintain sovereignty over their data while enjoying the benefits of modern cloud collaboration tools.

TrueNAS

TrueNAS is a robust, open-source network-attached storage (NAS) operating system that offers enterprise-grade features for file storage, sharing, and data protection. Built on the powerful ZFS file system, TrueNAS provides unparalleled data integrity, scalability, and flexibility.

It offers a comprehensive suite of features including file sharing protocols, snapshot-based backups, replication, encryption, and virtualisation support. Compared to closed-source alternatives, TrueNAS stands out for its cost-effectiveness, and extensive feature set.

Its open-source nature ensures transparency, allowing for community-driven development and rapid security updates. TrueNAS also offers greater customisation options and integration possibilities with other open-source tools.

With its robust feature set, active community support, and the ability to tailor the system to specific needs, TrueNAS provides a compelling alternative to proprietary NAS solutions, especially for businesses and tech-savvy individuals seeking more control over their data storage infrastructure.

Odoo

Odoo is a comprehensive, open-source business management software suite that offers a wide array of integrated applications for various business functions, including customer relationship management, e-commerce, accounting, inventory management, and human resources.

Unlike traditional closed-source alternatives, Odoo provides several distinct advantages. Its open-source nature allows for greater customisation and flexibility, enabling businesses to tailor the software to their specific needs without incurring exorbitant costs. The modular structure of Odoo permits companies to implement only the features they require, scaling up as needed.

Furthermore, Odoo benefits from a vibrant community of developers who contribute to its continuous improvement and expansion. This collaborative approach often results in more rapid innovation and problem-solving compared to proprietary solutions. Additionally, Odoo's transparent codebase enhances security through community scrutiny and allows for easier integration with existing systems. With its cost-effectiveness, adaptability, and robust feature set, Odoo presents a compelling alternative to closed-source ERP systems, particularly for small to medium-sized enterprises seeking a comprehensive business management solution.

Plane

Plane is an open-source project management tool that offers a refreshing alternative to traditional closed-source solutions like JIRA, Asana, and Monday. It provides a comprehensive suite of features for issue tracking, sprint planning, and product roadmap management, all within an intuitive and customisable interface.

Plane's key advantages lie in its flexibility and transparency; being open-source, it allows for greater customisation and integration possibilities, whilst also benefiting from community-driven development and rapid improvements.

Unlike its proprietary counterparts, Plane gives organisations full control over their data and infrastructure. It offers a range of views including Kanban boards, lists, and calendars, catering to diverse team preferences.

With its focus on simplicity and adaptability, Plane aims to streamline project management processes without the complexity often associated with more established tools, making it an attractive option for teams seeking an efficient, cost-effective, and highly tailorable solution.

SuiteCRM

SuiteCRM is a comprehensive, open-source customer relationship management (CRM) solution that offers a 360-degree view of customers and business operations.

It provides a robust suite of features for sales, marketing, and customer service, including lead management, campaign tracking, case management, and reporting. As an open-source alternative to proprietary CRMs, SuiteCRM offers several distinct advantages.

Its flexibility allows for extensive customisation to meet specific business needs without incurring additional licensing costs. The platform benefits from a vibrant community of developers, ensuring continuous improvement and rapid bug fixes.

Furthermore, its modular structure enables businesses to implement only the features they require, scaling as needed. With its cost-effectiveness, adaptability, and comprehensive feature set, SuiteCRM presents a compelling option for businesses seeking a powerful CRM solution without the constraints and ongoing expenses associated with proprietary alternatives.

GnuCash

GnuCash is a robust, open-source accounting software that offers a comprehensive suite of financial management tools for both personal and small business use.

It employs a double-entry bookkeeping system and provides features such as transaction tracking, investment monitoring, multi-currency support, and customisable reporting. Compared to traditional closed-source alternatives, GnuCash stands out for its cost-effectiveness, as it's entirely free to use and can be installed on various operating systems.

Its open-source nature allows for greater transparency, customisation, and community-driven development, ensuring continuous improvements and rapid bug fixes. GnuCash offers the flexibility to handle complex financial scenarios without the constraints of proprietary software, making it particularly appealing for tech-savvy users and small businesses seeking a powerful, adaptable accounting solution.

While it may have a steeper learning curve than some commercial options, GnuCash's comprehensive features, coupled with its cost-free nature and the ability to maintain full control over one's financial data, make it a compelling choice for those looking to break free from the limitations of closed-source accounting software.

Calligra

Calligra is a comprehensive, open-source office and graphic art suite developed by KDE, offering a diverse range of applications for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, vector graphics, and digital painting.

Unlike traditional closed-source alternatives, Calligra provides a more flexible and customisable approach to office productivity, with a focus on integration and adaptability across desktop PCs, tablets, and smartphones.

Its open-source nature allows for community-driven development, resulting in rapid improvements and innovative features tailored to users' needs.

Calligra stands out for its unique applications like Krita, a professional-grade digital painting tool, and its modular structure that enables users to install only the components they require.

With its recent transition to Qt6 and KF6, Calligra offers a modern, streamlined interface and improved performance. While it may have a steeper learning curve for those accustomed to conventional office suites, Calligra's cost-free nature, cross-platform compatibility, and specialised tools make it an attractive option for users seeking a more versatile and adaptable office suite experience.

Conclusion

For any business considering a new solution, do not think that open-source means unsupported or difficult, it does not. Open-source is fully supported and maintained, so before you press the button on a commercial system with a lifetime of licensing, ask us for alternatives, most of which you can explore free of charge in a trial environment.

14 Votes

Comments (1)

Rory M · 2024-11-14 18:36 UTC
Wow, Odoo actually looks like exactly what we want so I might be in touch later in the month for a trial. Thank you.