Is Bika LIMS really free?

The source code yes, don't believe OS FUD* in circulation please

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Is Bika LIMS Free? There are no license fees for using the software, the code base is achieved through the wisdom of client sponsors who want to see their investment grow From download to production, labs may source services from their preferred providers. For installation, configuration, customisations etc. They may use inhouse IT and online resources, voluntary assistance on user forums, and commercial professional services only for blockers The model rewards sharp hardworking labs consuming less user or technical furtherance Can we host Bika LIMS on our own computers? Sure, onsite or server farm of your choice Do we have to pay? The software and code is Free and Open Source. We sustain the project by providing professional Bika services.	What do I get? Full ownership. Bika LIMS is FOSS, Free and Open Source, users have full ownership and access to their code, guarantees a free upgrade path, sans licence fees, vendor lock-in or fixed maintenance cycles. It can be used by unlimited users on unlimited servers Where's the catch? LIMS is complex and you'll likely require assistance with configuration and using the LIMS, interfacing Instruments. Much assistance is available from volunteers on the forums but requires time. We recommend taking out professional support for prioritised issues. Yet again the iron triangle is at play, Pick any two of Good, Fast and Cheap Slow and Cheap can be Good	Open Source improves my lab's SEO visibility? Yes, through your participation on public forums and user groups, Google will take note. You will also be hosting you Bika on you proprietary domain where relevant public scientific and promotional content will do the same Sponsors of new Bika features get big additional exposure, not only in the community, but Bika announcements, news Items and press releases, and permanent listed at prominent BikaLIMS.org pages

Table of Contents...

Is Bika LIMS Free?

There are no license fees for using the software, the code base is achieved through the wisdom of client sponsors who want to see their investment grow

From download to production, labs may source services from their preferred providers. For installation, configuration, customisations etc.

They may use inhouse IT and online resources, voluntary assistance on user forums, and commercial professional services only for blockers

The model rewards sharp hardworking labs consuming less user or technical furtherance

Can we host Bika LIMS on our own computers?

Sure, onsite or server farm of your choice

Do we have to pay?

The software and code is Free and Open Source. We sustain the project by providing professional Bika services.

What do I get?

Full ownership. Bika LIMS is FOSS, Free and Open Source, users have full ownership and access to their code, guarantees a free upgrade path, sans licence fees, vendor lock-in or fixed maintenance cycles. It can be used by unlimited users on unlimited servers

Where's the catch?

LIMS is complex and you'll likely require assistance with configuration and using the LIMS, interfacing Instruments. Much assistance is available from volunteers on the forums but requires time. We recommend taking out professional support for prioritised issues. Yet again the iron triangle is at play, Pick any two of Good, Fast and Cheap

Slow and Cheap can be Good

Open Source improves my lab's SEO visibility?

Yes, through your participation on public forums and user groups, Google will take note. You will also be hosting you Bika on you proprietary domain where relevant public scientific and promotional content will do the same

Sponsors of new Bika features get big additional exposure, not only in the community, but Bika announcements, news Items and press releases, and permanent listed at prominent BikaLIMS.org pages