UK Government policy on the use of Open Source Software John Borras Director, Technology Policy eGovOS Conference 15 th March 2004

We published our OSS Policy in 2002, Douglas Alexander MP, Minister for the Cabinet Office, announcing in Parliament: “The Open Source Software policy has been formulated for use within UK Government because we seek to embrace the fast moving pace of the software industry and to acknowledge the clear potential for Open Source Software to change the software infrastructure marketplace.“ OSS Policy - Launch

POLICY 1: We will consider Open Source Software solutions alongside proprietary ones in IT procurements and award contracts on a value for money basis –We are determined to achieve more efficient and cost-effective public sector ICT –But operate a level-playing field between OSS and proprietary OSS Policy - in detail

POLICY 2: We will avoid lock-in to proprietary IT products and services –This involves identifying lock-in and balancing the cost of migration against the cost of continued lock-in OSS Policy - continued

POLICY 3: We will explore further the possibilities of using OSS as the default exploitation route for Government funded R&D software –The exploration of this has been completed, more on this later. OSS Policy - continued

POLICY 4: We will only use products for interoperability that support open standards and specifications in all future IT developments –OSS inherently supports interoperability. We are determined to ensure interoperability between government systems through the use of open standards - the e-Government Interoperability Framework is mandated throughout the UK public sector OSS Policy - continued

POLICY 5: We will consider obtaining full rights to bespoke software code or customisations of COTS software we procure wherever this achieves best value for money –We intend to achieve more reuse in public sector ICT to improve VFM and fully exploit successful software solutions OSS Policy - continued

Set up September 2002 to raise awareness of and competence in OSS use in Government Wide public sector representation – central and local government Membership has grown in 2003/04 Meets every 2 months Used as a focus group and resource pool for OSS initiatives and sharing of good practice in government Trigger for OSS Trials OSS Policy Implementation – Special Interest Group

On 9 th October 2003, the Government announced the launch of a series of OSS trials across both central government departments and the wider public sector 8 ‘Proof of concept’ trials run by IBM and coordinated by the OeE and Office of Government Commerce (OGC) These trials will measure the effectiveness and cost-benefits of IT systems based on OSS products, when compared against proprietary software solutions. OSS Policy Implementation – IBM Trials

On 8 th December 2003, the Government announced trials of OSS Desktop solutions with SUN Microsystems Sun Microsystems are undertaking trials of its OSS based desktop system with a number of public sector bodies Early indications are that efficiency gains and cash savings may be possible despite large re-training needs OSS Policy Implementation – SUN Trials

A key action of original OSS Policy was to conduct an exploration into the possibilities of using OSS as the default exploitation route for publicly funded R&D software Concluded that an OSS default licence should be used if no commercial exploitation route is defined The conclusions have informed the updated version of the OSS Policy, which is now out for public consultation for 3 months on GovTalk – the Government web site for public consultation OSS Policy – R&D software exploitation

The OSS Policy sets out a “level-playing field” approach A new version of the policy is out for public consultation setting a new policy for the licensing of OSS as the default exploitation route for publicly funded R&D software Trials this year by IBM and SUN will identify what efficiency gains and cash savings are possible The OSS SIG has proved an effective forum for discussion, debate and networking and it is an important resource pool for OSS implementation in government UK Government is working with other countries on EU OSS initiatives Summary

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