4 Benefits Of Building An Open Source Knowledge Base


Searching for answers can be daunting, particularly if you don’t know the exact place to look for them. For example, you’re searching for a specific piece of information at the public library. But, this establishment has tons of books about various subject matters. Finding the info you need may take time, ranging from a few minutes to several days.

That scenario is, perhaps, one of the different settings that represent the need for an open source knowledge base.

What Are Open Source Software And Knowledge Base?

Before knowing the benefits of an open source knowledge base, it’s essential to take a deeper dive into the concepts of open source software and knowledge base.

First, open source portals are open-ended apps where developers freely release the source code under an open license. The copyright owner grants its users the right to modify, study, and use the software for its intended purpose, while providing community-based protocols to promote excellent user experience.

As for the knowledge base, it’s an application that can store unstructured and structured information which users can access through different apps and portals. For example, a customer may access a business’s knowledge base through a web browser.

Also called a knowledge management system (KMS), it’s, generally, a collection of documents, applications, and web pages that provide answers to various queries. Developers may publish this database online or within a local area network (LAN).

The 4 Benefits Of Developing And Using An Open Source Knowledge Base

Several benefits are in store for those developing and using open source knowledge base software apps. Continue reading to know four of these advantages:

1. Administrative Control

Purchasing knowledge base software from a brand means you have to abide by the developers’ regulations. But, building an open source database app, with or without a community’s help, means that you can gain administrative control. Developers may apply their rules that can improve the program’s overall user experience. Moreover, users may feel a community-wide administration to ensure the app’s functional integrity.

Think of it as casting votes if you and the rest of the community agree if you allow the addition of certain features. With administrative powers, several community members may form an agreement that benefits most of the app’s users.

2. Import Additional Features

Developing an open source software is like painting on a blank canvas, but several painters will attempt to complete the artwork. Thus, several community members may add features to the program to assist in developing the app’s offerings.

For instance, one developer might include a streamlined search function wherein users may filter results within the database. Another community developer may add a comment box at the bottom of each page for other users to read important comments and feedback. You may also add features that aim to provide actionable information to farmers. Such functionalities may include one-click report creations.

In comparison, purchasing built knowledge base software from a brand may limit the administrative settings for users. Some apps might not allow their user base to install new features. Other programs might allow you to install new functionalities, but you may need to pay extra for the brand to grant you that access.

On the other hand, building open source knowledge base portals presents users with many possibilities for their offered features. However, the list of compatible features may ultimately depend on the software’s programming language.

3. Relatively Inexpensive

Buying a built knowledge base program might be expensive, which might not be a cost-efficient solution for certain users, like startup companies. Instead, developing an open source knowledge base app tends to be the more inexpensive option. The costs to develop the open source software are relatively low since a community helps develop the program. It’s as if several people are pitching in to pay for the bill.

4. Scalable Solution

Some knowledge base users, particularly small businesses, need scalable solutions to provide information to clients and in-house staff. If your company grows, the open source knowledge base app should grow with it.

For instance, hurricane response teams may continuously need data regarding the ongoing fight against the COVID-19 virus. Several community members may pitch in to add more information to the open source knowledge base as the pandemic’s situation progresses. In turn, the database can grow while these hurricane response groups increase in size.

As a bonus, the costs might be non-existent for adding new information to the database. Organizations may capitalize on this benefit to save money that they can spend on other humanitarian activities.

Conclusion

Creating and using open source knowledge base apps promote benefits like optimal administrative control, delivering a scalable solution to various users, and providing cost-efficiency to relatively all users. Interested users may download and install reliable knowledge base software instead of creating one from scratch to save valuable time, money, and effort. It might take some time before you can use the ideal app for your preferred use, but the research done might be worth it.