OGC extends trial of open source

The government has signed a contract with Sun Microsystems to extend its trials of open-source software.

As part of the deal with Whitehall buying arm the Office of Government Commerce (OGC), Sun will run a series of pilots of its open source Java Desktop System in the New Year. The NHS is one of the public sector bodies taking part in the trial.

The plans complement a similar initiative launched by the OGC with IBM in October to test open-source server software in nine different departments, agencies and local authorities (see Computing, 15 October).

The OGC hopes open source could help open up the government IT marketplace to wider competition and offer significant potential value for money.

If open source is to be accepted as a viable alternative to proprietary software it is essential it can effectively run the 500,000 desktop computers used by UK civil servants, according to the OGC.

The deal with Sun provides competitive pricing for the whole public sector and also offers alternatives such as thin clients.

'If successful, these trials could significantly extend the choice of IT systems in the government marketplace,' said OGC chief executive Peter Gershon.

'The public sector is alive to the possibilities inherent in this innovative approach, which would enable us to free up resources for delivery,' he said.

Richard Granger, director general of NHS IT, said: 'Our evaluation of the Java Desktop System holds the promise of allowing a greater share of NHS funding to flow directly towards improved levels of patient service.

'If this solution were to prove effective we could save the NHS and the taxpayer many millions of pounds whilst at the same time using rich and innovative software technology.'