How SaaS Vendors Can Build Trust When Integrating with Open Source Platforms

Iztok Smolic of Agiledrop recently shared guidance on how SaaS vendors can effectively integrate with open source platforms, based on the company’s experience working with Kontainer, a Digital Asset Management system integrating with Drupal. Iztok emphasized the importance of building trust with developers by following the standards and workflows of the open-source ecosystem.

One key recommendation was to avoid hosting integration modules behind subscriber-only access on a vendor’s website. Instead, modules should be published where open source communities expect to find them. Developers are more likely to trust extensions that follow community norms, public code repositories, open issue queues, clear documentation, and transparent development practices.

Iztok also noted that the success of such integrations depends on working with developers who understand the target platform. In-house SaaS developers may not have the specific knowledge required to build modules that align with open source expectations. For Kontainer, this meant releasing a proper Drupal module, completing the security review process, following the platform’s release cycle, and maintaining public documentation.

The overall takeaway is that trust is built by adapting to the open-source environment rather than trying to shape it. Vendors should work with developers familiar with the platform and contribute in a way that aligns with community standards.

Read the full LinkedIn post here.