For those who are not introduced to the term “open source software”, then the term refers to computer software that is available in source code form and enables its users to use, modify, improve and even distribute at times. It aims to provide better quality to lower cost which is accessible to everyone. There is no cost of software as such and funding is achieved by providing related services like training, installation or selling licenses to add-ons.

Now, let’s head on to our application for today. It is White Source, which is a leading provider of SaaS Open Source Lifecycle Management Solutions. It is a free cloud based platform intended to manage your OSS lifecycle. Therefore, no installation or maintenance is required. However, they are planning to introduce premium services with some monthly subscription in the near future. One of the main concerns of the customers regarding open software is the exposure of their source code in the cloud. But White Source stores only information regarding Open Source licenses. So, that problem is already sorted out.

The app aims to replace the traditional Excel spreadsheets that are currently being used mostly for tracking your OSS inventory, which often become incomplete and out of date. So, it is quite difficult to apply them everywhere. The solution is very simple and equally effective i.e. open source lifecycle management. The management includes maintaining a repository of all your open source libraries, risk analysis including legal, technical and commercial risk. Now, you can generate audit reports instantaneously concerning your organization’s OSS libraries, history, risks, etc. It helps you to prevent delay regarding information demands.

The application is very simple to use. Whenever you want to add a new library, just drag and drop it into your project. Also, if a library has been add to your project repository, the app automatically identifies its license, as well as the license requirements and reveals hidden license requirements and liabilities so that you can make more educated decisions. With White Source, you can submit and approve requests to use OSS libraries with their easy to use automated workflow. Additionally, all the information about the approval process is saved automatically, to avail fast audits.

One of the main advantages of this app is that it is favorable for any organization of any size. It is free, reliable and very much secured owing to their multi-domain architecture keeps your information safe and encrypted separately from other users. The app currently supports Java as the only language but will be adopting many more very soon.

So, overall the application is very useful and fits directly into the criterion set up by the market needs. The company is providing their services for free and is growing at a fast rate. Some add-on facilities are also expected to arrive really soon. Also, it is suitable for a range of industries making it automatically the favorite in the market.

Visit this site at http://www.whitesourcesoftware.com/ and post your reviews as comments.