Sustainability is often associated with green electricity, recycled hardware, or eco labels. But true digital sustainability starts much earlier – in the source code.
Proprietary software is often tied to short product cycles, forced upgrades, or license switches – frequently without real technical necessity. The result: fully functional systems are replaced not for technical reasons, but due to commercial or contractual pressure.
With open source, it is different.
At |knowhere, we have seen that open-source systems tend to run longer, more stably, and can be adapted flexibly – while remaining up-to-date and secure even after years. Our clients benefit from longer life cycles, better maintainability, and real investment protection.
That also means: more sustainability.
Because any system used productively beyond its depreciation period starts to generate profit from a tax perspective. The infrastructure is fully written off – but still creating value. That is a financial and environmental advantage.
In our |knowhere Labs, we do not just test functionality and security – we perform long-term stability testing. Many open-source solutions run for years without issue – including updates, adjustments, and migrations. Replacement happens because of technical reasoning, not tax deadlines.
And let’s face it: Innovation cycles in IT have slowed. The next big tech leap no longer happens every two years. That gives us a window to run systems longer – without compromise.
Open source enables a sustainable IT strategy:
- Less license chaos
- Longer usage cycles
- Reduced dependencies
- Controlled, continuous improvement
Sustainability is not a trend. It is a principle – and it starts in the code.