OFE Press Release - Government Action Plan for Open Source, Open Standards and Software Re-Use - Updated

OpenForum Europe welcomes this updated Government Action Plan for Open Source, Open Standards and Software Re-Use, part of the overall Government ICT Strategy (January 2010) This is an essential next step in the implementation of Government Policy in this vital area. This Action Plan now requires suppliers to show they have considered Open Source and implements new accounting requirements to highlight the future costs of lock in.

Graham Taylor, CEO, OpenForum Europe says: “ We welcome the important clarifications that have been made to this Action Plan. OpenForum Europe will seek to support Government in achieving the objectives set out.

Affirmative action in the form of an effective implementation schedule of the Action Plan will be essential to give credibility to the overall Government programme in this area.

The early provision of a shareable desktop computer environment service based on Open Source Platforms will be a vital test of the Government's willingness to implement a comprehensive Open Source policy.

OFE remains cautious about the manner in which common standards have been described in the Government ICT Strategy which could perpetuate lock-in to proprietary solutions. We remain committed on believing that truly Open Standards are an essential pre-requisite to the delivery of Interoperability and Software Re-Use that the Government is seeking”

Open Forum Europe is a not-for-profit, independent organisation launched in March 2002 to accelerate, broaden and strengthen the use of open source software in business and government. OFE is supported by major IT suppliers and works closely with the European Commission and national governments.

www.openforumeurope.org  Contact;   Graham Taylor 01372 815 168

Reference:http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/cio/ict.aspx