IBM Helps the UK and Russian Governments Adopt Linux

 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
GOVERNMENT INVESTIGATES WIDER USE OF OPEN SOURCE IT SYSTEMS ACROSS PUBLIC
SECTOR
 
The Government has announced its latest development to promote wider
competition in the public sector IT market by launching a series of Open
Source Software (OSS) trials across both central government departments and
the wider public sector.
 
Nine 'proof of concept' pilots are being coordinated by the Office of
Government Commerce (OGC) and the Office of the eEnvoy (OeE). They build
upon the joint OGC/OeE strategy on the use of OSS across the public sector
and aim towards the implementation of OSS as an alternative to proprietary
software.
 
These initial trials are being run by IBM and will measure the effectiveness
and cost-benefits of IT systems based on OSS products, when compared against
proprietary software solutions. They may lead to further pilot-studies with
a limited range of selected suppliers to validate the emerging findings.
 
Departments taking part in the trials are: -
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister                   
Office of the eEnvoy
Powys Borough Council                                       
Newham Borough Council
 
OGC Chief Executive, Peter Gershon, welcomed this development saying:
 
"This builds upon our commitment to create a level playing field between OSS
from a range of suppliers and propriety software within Government
procurement. The trials will operate in a controlled environment and will
enable us to identify when and how-best to use the technology to the benefit
of departments and the taxpayer alike."
 
Larry Hirst, General Manager of IBM UK stated:
 
"Customers around the world are already benefiting from open systems and an
open approach to computing.  In today's diverse IT environments, especially
those in the Government space, open source software like Linux can help
lower dependency on a single software provider. This can help reduce overall
costs and increase the flexibility and reliability across an
infrastructure."
 
The Office of the e-Envoy has a published policy on the use of Open Source
Software. This approach fits that policy, which encourages proper
consideration of Open Source Software with other proprietary brands.
 
Andrew Pinder, the Government's e-Envoy said of the pilots: 
 
"Our Open Source policy acknowledges the competitive viability of OSS
solutions and these pilot-studies should provide a good opportunity to
demonstrate this. UK Government is keen to explore the potential for OSS
solutions to achieve cost-savings and an increased flexibility in the
development, enhancement and integration of our IT systems. "
 
At the same time OGC announced its latest deal on pricing arrangements for
Software with IBM. This will offer enhanced discounts across the public
sector with additional savings where Linux products are specified.
 
NOTES TO EDITORS
The publication of the Government's Open Source Software (OSS) Policy was
announced in Parliament on the 22nd July 2002 by Cabinet Office Minister,
Douglas Alexander MP, in response to a question by Geraint Davies MP
(Croydon Central). The Policy clearly set out a level playing field for
procuring OSS and proprietary solutions based on value-for-money
considerations.
 
The Government's Open Source Software Policy is available at
http://www.e-envoy.gov.uk/oee/OeE.nsf/sections/frameworks-oss-policy/$file/o
ss-policy.htm#policy
 
OGC Procurement Guidelines are viewable at
http://www.ogc.gov.uk/index.asp?id=2190&;
 
To view earlier OGC IT related Press Releases click on links below:
http://www.ogc.gov.uk/application.asp?app=press_release.asp&process=full_rec
ord&id=56
http://www.ogc.gov.uk/application.asp?app=press_release.asp&process=full_rec
ord&id=1000005
 
Established in April 2000, the OGC was set up to act as a catalyst in
procurement issues and to work with civil departments to achieve best value
for money in their commercial activities. Responsible for civil central
government procurement policy and Best Practice including Construction,
Property Management, IT, Supplier Relations including opening up government
contracts to SMEs, e-commerce including the Government Procurement Card, the
Gateway Review Process, OGCbuying.solutions, including the development of
Government buying catalogues such as G-Cat, L-CAT and S-Cat and developing
strategic procurement partnerships with the private sector.