Should SAP WebIDE be positioned as an Open Editor?

Let me take you back by one month(in my life):

I was usually working on a UI5 extension project. I was informed by my manager of a requirement to maintain an AngularJs project developed by a third party team. I love to learn new languages(I am A1 in German ???? ) and I jumped up on this opportunity. I went through tutorials and video blogs. When I had to import the code, I had the option of Atom or Eclipse. I chose Eclipse due to its familiarity. Then, I found a blog on developing AngularJs application in WebIDE. I simply loved the thought of having WebIDE for both UI5 and AngularJs.

In all excitement, I decided to write a mail explaining this discovery :). To my dismay, the response from my manager was “This is not a SAP UI5 project and we want to reduce the number to SAP tools we use.”

I replied that if the scenario was to avoid SAP, then no point considering Web IDE and we are contemplating between Atom and Eclipse.

The idea which stuck me was, if Web IDE had no SAP next to it, would it have been considered as the preferred editor? The project was making use of oData services and still, Web IDE was avoided for its licensing with SAP. I believe that Web IDE has a great potential to be the preferred editor for all web developments. So, my proposition is, can SAP position Web IDE as an open editor, similar to OpenUI5.

The obvious arguments against it is: SAP trademark. SAP prides is in its trademark. Another loss is in revenue. If WebIDE is opened up as free editor, then SAP will lose the revenue generated by selling Cloud license with access to WebIDE.

I believe contrary to the above arguments. SAP with the release of UI5 as OpenUI5 and venturing to JavaScript, took a conscious step to open up to the developer community. SAP had traditionally been viewed as a closed system with high value to its proprietary tools and languages. In the world of Open Web, SAP understood the benefits of both being open and appearing to be open to the community. Web IDE as a cloud editor is another opportunity for SAP to advance this positioning as an open system.

OpenUI5 brought many non-SAP developers into its fold. By, making WebIDE open, it can allow developments on AngularJs with the usage of Bootstrap. By this, it will truly be a Web Development Environment. A trade-off in terms of loss of revenue should be attempted in return for more acceptance and relevance in the world of web development.

I would still pursue in convincing my manager to use Web IDE but when it comes to licensing argument, it is a battle that most developers are bound to lose.

I would be keen to hear your views and arguments in favor and against this idea.

Thank you.

The view expressed in this blog are personal and has no connection with the views of my organization or my family ????