ACTIVITIES :: eGovernment :: Policy :: Key Enablers :: Open Source

Towards an ‘open’ future

Open Source Software (OSS) allows its users to tailor programs to suit their own specialised needs. Any software developer can work on the programme’s original source code as the ‘recipe’ is freely available, making it simple to customise programmes, whereas with proprietary software, the manufacturer protects the source code. For eGovernment applications, OSS has the potential to save public money and provide users with software better suited to their needs, yet in most organisations proprietary software is still used predominantly, if not exclusively.

Typically, when a public authority seeks a new Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) system, it will commission an outside software company. When based on proprietary software, the developer controls the use of that software – even once it is delivered to the client – through copyright and licensing. OSS offers a different approach from proprietary software. In particular, the licence conditions attached to its use enable much greater freedom. For example, licences on OSS eGovernment applications might allow their use by any body, so can more easily be transferred from one public body to another. Licences for proprietary software, on the other hand, generally tie the number of machines on which it can be used to a fee per unit, and would not allow it to be used by a sister public organisation without the developer’s agreement, and/or additional fees.

Another big advantage of OSS is that the source code is not kept secret, which means the user is not tied to the original developer for any modification to the program. Although there could be sound reasons for going back to the original software provider, the client is free to use other developers – including their own staff – who may offer a cheaper service. With OSS, it is relatively simple to take an ‘off-the-shelf’ program and customise it to a public organisation’s requirements. In comparison, proprietary software has to be customised under the control of the original supplier. In general, therefore, OSS allows greater freedom of use for eGovernment applications and the potential of lower costs, in comparison to proprietary software.

OSS in eGovernment

Co-operation between public bodies is where OSS can provide huge benefits for eGovernment. Separate public authorities and agencies often have similar needs of their ICT systems. With OSS, public bodies can easily collaborate in software development, reducing their individual costs. Since OSS programs can be altered comparatively easily, agencies can recover some of their investment by allowing other organisations to use them. Furthermore, if organisations which need to co-operate are using the same ICT systems, there are clear benefits in compatibility when they need to share data or work on common projects.

Developers and users of OSS in public authorities argue that such software will speed up the EU’s achievement of its eGovernment goals, in areas such as improving cross-border interoperability, reducing the administrative burden, reaching out to groups in society at risk of exclusion from eGovernment services, and increasing transparency of and participation in government action. Responding to the September 2007 Lisbon Ministerial Declaration, the Open Source Community underlined the contribution that OSS and open standards could make to Europe’s economy, in particular opening up major opportunities for small firms to enter markets currently dominated by major proprietary software suppliers. The OSS market could account for 32% of all ICT services in Europe by 2010 (equivalent to 4% of European gross domestic product), with the added benefit of reducing software development costs by more than one-third.