Bosch is pioneering open source with OpenChain ISO standard
A cornerstone of open source excellence lies in the OpenChain ISO 5230, a comprehensive specification to ensure compliance and adherence to best practices. Combined with the material available in the OpenChain community, this framework not only provides clarity and structure but also fosters trust and credibility within the open source ecosystem.
Bosch has a rich open source history spanning over two decades and is an active contributor to the OpenChain ISO Standard. With a focus on community engagement, Bosch advocates for open-source principles and champions the importance of collaboration, reflecting its central values of openness and trust. With a growing number of companies achieving certification under ISO 5230, the momentum towards standardized open source management continues to gain traction and underscores its significance in establishing trust and transparency in open source usage.
In the realm of open source development, the ISO standard 5230 “OpenChain” ISO standardizes the process system for open source management in order to achieve license compliance along the software supply chain. One might compare OpenChain to the recipe for a potluck dinner: Each ingredient represents a different aspect of open source compliance and management. Just as following a recipe ensures that every ingredient is measured and added correctly to create a delicious dish, OpenChain provides a framework for ensuring that every aspect of open source usage within an organization is handled properly and complies with established standards. If one ingredient is missing or added incorrectly, it can affect the overall taste and quality of the dish. Similarly, without adherence to OpenChain principles, the effectiveness and reliability of an organization's open source practices could be compromised, impacting the overall success of their projects or products.
Bosch's open source history
Bosch has demonstrated a consistent commitment to open source principles, actively engaging in supporting and contributing to the OpenChain initiative since its official membership as a platinum member in 2019.
With a history spanning over two decades, Bosch has integrated the open source philosophy into its corporate values. Initially embracing open source tools and incorporating Linux into its products, Bosch has progressed to co-innovating software in publicly funded projects and spearheading numerous open source initiatives. Notably, Bosch has been instrumental in shaping and promoting the OpenChain ISO Standard 5230. The company views OpenChain as a valuable platform for sharing best practices and enhancing open source management systems and processes, thus fostering greater participation from other organizations within open source communities.
It takes a village to do open source
Being a good citizen in the open source community cannot be overstated. Attributing value to developers and fostering a culture of collaboration is part of Bosch's culture and reflected in the values like openness and trust. Without the collective efforts of the community, the very essence of open source would be compromised. This is reflected through international work groups, currently active in China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, India, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the USA, facilitating global collaboration and knowledge exchange. OpenChain provides a structured framework to achieve these collaborative goals.
A simple yet powerful example can be found in the realm of training. Bosch's commitment to providing an accessible and comprehensive training program for organizations looking to adopt the OpenChain ISO standard, underscores the transformative power of community engagement. With training sessions swiftly available in multiple languages, such as English and Chinese, the community's responsiveness and adaptability shine through, demonstrating its indispensable role in nurturing talent and driving innovation.
Numerous opportunities exist for contributing to open source software (OSS) communities, including suggesting bug fixes and new features, translating documentation, establishing forums for community interaction, and backing or engaging in projects and trade associations that uphold OSS principles.
Open source @ Bosch
Tanja Rückert
Chief Digital Officer
Open source is not just a strategic move for Bosch, but a mindset that aligns with our values, our innovations, and creates value for our business.
The momentum gains traction
Bosch has been a thought-leader behind the OpenChain project by the Linux Foundation,had an active role in shaping the curriculum, and is co-maintaining the automation workgroup. When Bosch was seeking to evaluate their compliance procedures, this program was extremely helpful. To keep the barrier of entry low, it is freely available for everyone and in multiple languages. Bosch was one of the first companies to hold the corporate conformance certificate and today over 200 companies worldwide have adopted the OpenChain ISO 5230. This number is a testimony to the importance and benefit of a commonly accepted framework. Look at the self-certification process and explore your options. “With OpenChain we have a common framework and a common terminology for open source compliance,” says open source core team member at Bosch, Hans Malte Kern. “A wide adaptation by companies across all industries could help to further expand seamless value chains. It is the key building block to establish trust in using open source.”
Bosch and numerous other companies are leading the way in championing the principles of openness, collaboration, and standardization, the journey towards a more transparent, efficient, and inclusive open source ecosystem is well underway. OpenChain plays a vital role in supply chains and has become an indispensable component in modern supply chain operations.