Government promises to go open source where possible

The Conservatives look set to come good on their pre-election promise to break up large-scale ICT contracts in order to open the market up to smaller and open source providers, after a minister confirmed the government would look to favour open-source software over proprietary technology.

Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude, responding to questions, explained that the government was busy producing a "Guidance for Procures" to help it get the best from open source software.

"The government is committed to using more open source solutions where possible. A key principle is that government will actively and fairly consider open source solutions alongside proprietary ones in making procurement decisions," he said.

"Where there is no significant overall cost difference between open and non-open source products, open source will be selected on the basis of its additional inherent flexibility."

Jeremy Hunt had told V3.co.uk in April that the conservatives would open the £200bn government procurement market to open-source companies, claiming it would bring significant cost benefits.

"We believe that making more use of open-source software can significantly reduce government IT spending," he said at the time.

"We will create a level playing field for open-source IT throughout the public sector by introducing open standards for government computer systems. This will allow more small companies to win government contracts, and will drive down costs by opening up more competition."

Maude, though, was reluctant to give any estimates of what the government might save by going open source.

"While more open procurement can undoubtedly save money, it is difficult to ascertain precise cost savings from open source software alone as it is one element in the overall solution," he stressed.

Nevertheless, it's reassuring to see that the coalition's bluster about taking a new approach to ICT procurement looks set to be put into practice.

16 Sep 2010