FR: Defence ministry to test open source office tools

The ministry on 1 June replied it will in 2011 start testing a software architecture including office tools based on open source software. This will be used parallel to the current proprietary tools. The results of the test will be used to decide on the future IT plans, writes the ministry. "The strategy is to have two or three different solutions available, to avoid vendor dependence, strengthen our bargaining position with suppliers and to have a proven alternative ready."

French Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) MP Carayon asked the ministry in Aprilto explain its new framework contract with Microsoft Ireland. Carayon fears that as a consequence of this contract, the ministry will stop all research into alternatives to the proprietary vendor's software.

According to the MP, the four year contract signed by the Defense Department of Joint Infrastructure Networks and Information Systems, for server software licences and licences for software for between 188,000 and 240,000 PCs, means the ministry will exclusively depend on the proprietary vendor. "The fear of a complete unified information system of the Ministry of Defence through the exclusive use of Microsoft software is genuinely problematic."

The contract includes as an option the purchase of more than 5 million Euro of software licences without the need for a new tender procedure. Carayon thinks this will prevent the ministry from testing free and open source alternatives.

Carayon fears that with the contract, the Ministry is ignoring French government recommendations on the use of open standards.

According to the ministry, the contract does not mean it becomes exclusively dependent on the proprietary vendor. It points to an ERP system it requested in February of this year, where one of the criteria is a liberal software licence. 

"To ensure good use of public funds, the Ministry of Defence wanted to streamline a software park that has become too heterogeneous. The software architecture of the department shall include a limited number of office solutions."