Open-source software

The geotechnical industry traditionally relies on proprietary software and specialized formats, creating vendor lock-in and limiting interoperability.

bedrock-ge is Free and Open Source Software (FOSS), meaning it gives you full access to the code, and you can customize bedrock-ge to integrate with other tools and fit your workflows and project needs.

As the name implies, FOSS is free to use, so you’re not tied to expensive software licenses or locked into a specific software vendor.

What is Open-source?

Open-source software makes its source code freely available for viewing, modification, and distribution.

• Transparency: Inspect calculations and verify algorithms
• Vendor independence: No single company controls access
• Community-driven: Collaborative development by global communities
• Cost-effective: No licensing fees or forced upgrades
• Longevity: Remains available even if developers stop maintaining it
• Automation-friendly: Programmatic interfaces enable automated workflows

Industry adoption of open-source

Major technology companies have embraced open-source software as a core part of their development strategy. Tech companies like Google, Microsoft, Meta, and Netflix contribute extensively to open-source projects, recognizing that collaborative development often produces more robust, innovative solutions than isolated proprietary development.

In the geoscience sector, Equinor stands out as the first major company to establish a comprehensive open-source program, releasing tools for subsurface modeling, data processing, and reservoir simulation. This pioneering approach demonstrates how large organizations can benefit from transparent, collaborative software development while contributing back to the scientific community.