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Re: [LUG] Government IT Procurement Suggestion

 

On Sat, Jun 12, 2010 at 09:03:05PM +0100, tom wrote:
> 
 
> For a long time UK governments have resisted any policy that could be
> deemed as anti-competitive. To this end open-source solutions are locked
> out because of initial implementation costs involved in conversion,
> retraining etc. No party would wish to be seen as bias towards open
> source by handing out money, or being seen to be tipping the scales in
> any way.
> 
> However, if the average savings in licensing costs of the competitors
> could be calculated and then transferred for initial implementation,
> training etc ... could this be considered to be anti-competitive ?
> 
> Although initially no savings would have been made because the money
> would be used in implementation longer term savings would be made in
> terms of having gained experience in FLOSS technologies and practice,
> and longer term savings as the product is extended into the future.
> 
> I'm sure this idea is flawed in some respect and as yet not fully
> thought out but I am intrigued by the idea.
> 
Following Juan's comments later in the thread, I accept the argument but
feel that it is poor. The argument is whether Microsoft have the
appropriate business model.

Arguably they are trying to charge a premium for an industry standard: 

-       should all hoovers be made by Hoover Ltd?
-       should all lifts by made by Otis Ltd?
-       should you pay "Saville Row" a percentage because you buy jeans for £5
        at Tesco?

If however Microsoft (or any proprietary model) comes up with special
software that really makes life easier then they should be able to sell it.

The routine: no and the file structure and costs should be open.

        (In a similar way The Financial Services Authority is pushing through a
        similar change at the moment with the way financial adviser are
        rewarded: by 2012 

          firms will not be able to accept commission [from providers] in
          return for recommending specific products.  Consumers will know what
          they are buying upfront, how much it will cost them and also have the
          peace of mind that it was recommended to suit their needs.

          http://www.fsa.gov.uk/pages/Library/Communication/PR/2010/056.shtml)

I pay others to use free software: they have packaged it in a way that
makes my life easier. Yes I know that I do not need to do so, but it is not
worth my while.

Taking this argument further: if opensource was used in Government products
and if the file structure was truly open then competition will
significantly increase. But competition for better ways of working, for
better service.


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Henry
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