Ah... no. For one system --- there is an "open source" software option; and in this open-source I found an annoying bug. The dirty secret with open source, if the bug it isn't on someone "favorite" plate, it's not going to be looked at/fixed. And if I don't know the language that it is written in
You have the source. You can determine the language (or pay someone who can). You can pay someone to fix the bug.
The hardware that I'm stuck with is no longer available as 'new' and there are no "modern" drivers as an option. The software cannot migrate (and in one instance the owner of the software is no longer in business)
Which is why I'm advocating (in the future in your case) to not buy these types of systems in the first place. I realise in this case it's after the fact. Maybe next time.
This 'choice' is never offered.
So next time ask for it. There should be little objection. If the company is worried about giving up the source - it's only it they're out of business so no money lost. I also think it's quite reasonable to ask for the source if they effectively discontinue the product. You do have to ask though. Your lawyers and management will likely be on board with at least asking, especially after seeing the consequences this time around. If the vendor is not willing to compromise, make a choice. Either accept the risk (as was done previously - please learn from this) or choose something or someone else who meets your requirements. Or even change your process to not "require" this system. There are ALWAYS choices. They may not be easy or nice, but they are there.
In this case, someone previously chose to use this system. Next time around remind the decision makers about this. They may well choose to ignore you and accept the risk. But they have chosen this option. I'm not denying you're between a rock and a hard place at the moment. I've been there (exact same thing). It sucks. Just try to educate the decision makers about this type of thing in the future.
Those like my employer where my present location has 1100 seats. I can't go around installing printer drivers all day or close the company down because we had to move a copier and the installed print driver only works for a specific port.
Reinstalling the driver 1100 times is not an option!
Who has 1100 seats and DOESN'T have some form of automated deployment tool? That sounds like job #1 to me...
He's rocking them like rocks all day, in his cradle of love, which also rocks.
[coffee spilt] Oh for mod points - +1 funny
"Ahead warp factor 1" - Captain Kirk