[LINK] UK Government publishes open source strategy

[Bernard Robertson-Dunn]

UK Government publishes open source strategy
By Tom Young
itNews
26 February 2009 06:28AM
http://www.itnews.com.au/News/97287,uk-government-publishes-open-source-strategy.aspx

The UK Government has laid out a radical 10-point policy for using 
open-source software that is aimed at gaining greater value from IT.

Traditionally, the Government has used software primarily developed by 
commercial companies, though there are scattered examples of the use of 
open-source software, after a commitment to use more in 2004.

Half of the Government's departmental web sites use Apache as the core 
web server, while the NHS “spine” uses an open-source operating system.

But the Government wants to go much further, according to minister for 
digital engagement Tom Watson.

“The world of technology has moved on hugely since we last set out our 
thinking on open source, which is why it was so important to update our 
policy, " he said.

“Open-source products are more competitive and have become easier to 
include in business, and major players in the IT industry now support 
the use of open standards."

The Government's 10-point strategy 
<http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/government_it/open_source.aspx> is:

• To actively consider open source solutions alongside proprietary ones 
in making procurement decisions;

• Procurement decisions will be made solely on the basis of the best 
value for money solution to the business requirement;

• There will be an expectation on suppliers to consider a mix of 
proprietary and open-source software;

• Where there is no difference on cost open-source software will be 
chosen as preferable;

• The government will, wherever possible, avoid becoming locked in to 
proprietary software;

• Where non-open-source products need to be purchased, government will 
expect licences to be available for use across the public sector;

• The government will use open standards in its procurement 
specifications and require solutions to comply with open standards;

• Rights for re-use will be sought for all commercial software purchased;

• All systems developed for one part of the public sector are expected 
to be reused in another rather than developed again;

• When suppliers are proposing a third-party product there should be 
full price transparency.

The CIO Council will work with government buying agency the Office of 
Government Commerce to develop a programme to educate government IT 
buyers on open source software and accompanying guidelines.

Technology industry body Intellect welcomed the announcement.

"It is in the Government’s, economy’s and UK software sector’s interest 
that the opportunity to compete for public sector business is available 
to software companies regardless of their business model," said a spokesman.

"Open standards are fundamental for ensuring interoperability across 
government, a crucial factor for a joined-up government."

Copyright © 2009 Computing

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Regards
brd

Bernard Robertson-Dunn
Canberra Australia
brd at iimetro.com.au