Open architecture tends to ensure that many compatible products will be available to work with the original, open-sourced product.
Take Linux, for example. With Linux, a company can encourage other developers to write applications and utility software for their product. This is good for the company, since the availability of many add-ons will make its product more useful and popular.
This open architecture technology is also good for the developers, since their development costs will be lower, and there will be a large market for their offerings.
Open architecture is especially important in large-scale complex projects where it is critical in terms of time and cost to develop a new product, test it and see that it works correctly in the field.
Open architectures support the agile approach. It also allows complex systems, which were produced once before and worked with the same configuration for years, to renew capabilities more frequently.
Depending on the type of system, such as a network or an operating system, it can be possible to fully change the basic functioning to accommodate evolving technologies or new business paradigms.
This can be important for computers and network hardware, where components can be upgraded regularly as technology advances without destroying an existing framework that has already been installed.
Today, approaches such as Industrial Internet of Things and smart cities require open architecture designs at a higher level in order to ensure interoperability.
Organizations also come to realize that by utilizing open architecture, product add-ons, maintenance and training all tend to cost less, since there are usually numerous parties providing the necessary software and services.
Analysts point out that companies that want a one-stop shop and a single point of accountability for their systems and software may be better off using a proprietary solution. But for those companies that want best-of-breed options for their applications and system components, procuring products based on an open architecture gives them the flexibility they are looking for.
Want to learn more? Tonex offers Open Architecture Fundamentals, a 2-day course that covers an introduction to the future of architecture for telecommunications. Participants learn about the Open Digital Architecture (ODA), why it is needed and learn the basic principles and building blocks
Participants will also learn about the ODA (Open Digital Architecture) principles and building blocks used by the world’s leading communications service providers and technology suppliers.
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