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Should you give away your software?

chris.b
NI Employee (retired)

The are many successful companies that provide free software. Could this work for you as an LabVIEW add-on developer? Absolutely - in my experience working with partner companies, I have personally seen this model work quite well. As an example, there are quite a few free products on the LabVIEW Tools Network.

Let me offer some quick advice. If you are considering developing a free LabVIEW add-on, here are three questions to ask yourself ...

  1. Does your company provide LabVIEW consulting or system integration services? This is the most common and successful business model when distributing free LabVIEW add-ons. It seems to be one of the best ways to recoup investment in the add-on.
  2. Will the add-on promote your company? Customers using your product should think of your company as LabVIEW experts that they could hire if needed.
  3. Does your add-on already exist (at least partially)? If you already use your add-on internally in your company, you have a better chance of being able to devote time to maintaining it when releasing it publicly.
Chris Bolin
LabVIEW Partner Program, CLA