As of 2020, SugarCRM can no longer be considered an open-source solution. This marks a significant shift from its earlier versions, where it was known for its open-source nature. In 2014, SugarCRM announced that starting from Sugar 7, only proprietary licenses would be available. This decision meant that the source code of the software would no longer be freely accessible and modifiable by the community.
The statement “SugarCRM is not an open source solution” can be found directly on SugarCRM's website, further confirming this change in their licensing model. This move from open source to proprietary licenses has been met with mixed reactions from the community and users who were accustomed to the open-source nature of the earlier versions.
It's important to understand the implications of this shift. With open-source software, users had the freedom to view, modify, and distribute the source code as per their requirements. This fostered a collaborative and community-driven ecosystem, where users could contribute to the development and improvement of the software.
However, with the transition to proprietary licenses, SugarCRM retains full control over the source code. This means that users no longer have the same level of access and freedom they had with the open-source versions. Modifications and customizations to the software may be limited or require additional licenses and permissions from SugarCRM.
This change in licensing can have several implications for businesses and organizations that rely on SugarCRM. Some of these include:
1. Limited customization: With the proprietary licenses, the ability to modify and customize the software may be restricted. This can hinder organizations that require specific functionalities or workflows tailored to their unique needs.
2. Dependency on SugarCRM: As the source code is now exclusively controlled by SugarCRM, businesses become more dependent on the company for updates, bug fixes, and new features. This can have financial implications, as organizations may need to purchase additional licenses or support packages to access these updates.
3. Community contributions: The transition to a proprietary model reduces the ability of the community to contribute to the development and improvement of the software. This can impact the pace of innovation and the availability of community-driven extensions and plugins.
4. Vendor lock-in: The shift to proprietary licenses increases the risk of vendor lock-in for organizations using SugarCRM. Switching to an alternative CRM solution may require significant effort and resources due to the proprietary nature of the software.
It's worth noting that while SugarCRM is no longer open source, there are still open-source CRM alternatives available in the market. These solutions, such as SuiteCRM and Vtiger CRM, offer similar functionalities and customization options while remaining open source.
SugarCRM's transition to proprietary licenses starting from Sugar 7 means that it can no longer be considered an open-source solution. This shift has several implications for businesses and organizations relying on the software, including limited customization, increased dependency on SugarCRM, reduced community contributions, and the risk of vendor lock-in. However, there are still open-source CRM alternatives available for those seeking a community-driven and customizable solution.