Government promotes open source for public sector
The government has published a new policy aimed at promoting the use of open source software in the public sector.
It is also aimed at promoting open standards and encouraging the re-use of IT solutions. Measures include an education programme, guidance on procurement from the Chief Information Officers (CIO) Council and assessment of new products.
These are among the 10 points of an action plan that forms the centrepiece of the policy.
There are two other main elements. One is to promote open standards by ensuring systems are interoperable and avoiding getting locked into a particular product when possible. The other is that the government will look at the re-use of what it has already bought and aim to make successful solutions available across government.
The Cabinet Office said these measures will help to provide better value for money for taxpayers.
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