By Colin Barker, 11 October 2007 08:56
NEWS
A Liberal Democrat MP has launched a stinging attack on the government's IT strategy, saying it has given Microsoft too much control.
John Pugh, who is MP for Southport and a member of the Public Accounts Committee, was speaking in an adjournment debate that he had called. The aim of the debate, he said, was to explore the alternatives to using Microsoft software, including open source.
The current government strategy left too much in the hands of Microsoft, Pugh argued, and he accused the company of "predatory pricing and stultifying competition".
He said of the Government Gateway: "Technically, the Government Gateway is owned by Microsoft" and said the government's policy "is, in part, in breach of European Union regulations" on competition.
The government's strategy hits the poorest hardest, Pugh added. "Why should people on benefits have to use Vista when it costs hundreds of pounds and there are cheaper open source solutions available?" the MP asked. "Why should people have to use Vista rather than Apple, for that matter?"
The government had ceded control to Microsoft, the MP said, pointing to Connecting for Health, the NHS' multi-billion pound IT programme as an example. "I am happy for Connecting for Health to go to a company like Microsoft," he said. "I am less happy when the details are subject to a confidentiality agreement."
Speaking for the government, Angela Eagle, MP for Wallasey, said the government's strategy on IT is not governed by a desire to choose any particular vendor but by the "need to get value and the best possible deal".
Eagle said there are many benefits of open source software but, in the end, it is the price to the taxpayer that matters. "I agree that open source platforms can help open competition and that we want a free marketplace," she said. "We are using open source in many areas and we do realise there are benefits."
But while open source could appear cheap, there are extra costs in training and support that means it may not always be the cheapest solution, Eagle said.
Pugh is a frequent critic of the government's IT strategy. In November 2006, Pugh called for a "level playing-field in software", arguing that the government was favouring Microsoft above other companies.
Colin Barker writes for ZDNet UK
Comments
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1. misceng
Open Source is more expensive.
We hear this from those who are deeply embedded in the Microsoft culture. They can produce figures to prove it but they are not comparing like with like.
Getting a MS solution implemented can be cheaper because all those involved have already spent the vast sums needed to be proficient in MS technology. Changing to open source can be more expensive on the first project because people have to learn new skills and that cost is always included in the comparison. If these costs are treated in the same way as in the MS case there is little chance of MS being cheaper. Politicians, company directors and others do not look beyond the immediate impact so no progress is possible on a long term comparison of benefit.
2. anonymous
Gov 'slammed' for using Microsoft products, Gov 'slammed' for having proprietry systems that don't talk to each other. Oh please!
Make everything Linux or Microsoft, but not lots of different products, in the big picture that does not work. Going for a standard usually means creating a monopoly, that's the nature of standards.
And 'slammed' is so tabliod.
3. simon
Thank heavens someone is awake ! Not that I expect anyone in the Government to actually take any notice - after all, he's only an MP, and not even in the 'right party' from their point of view.
4. anonymous
this guy obviously knows nothing. the user just needs a web-brower to access their gov services. no one on benefits needs vista to access a gov gateway service. why print such misleading info without some sort of factual response in the article!
5. Emrys Jones
How amusing. The government MP claims that "No, no, we are not in hock MS, not at all", then promptly trots out the MS marketing line on Open Source software that was 'supported' by rigged studies done by their friends.
Just another touch demonstration that the government has little or no idea of what it is about in IT.
6. Richard
Train people to use IT; not just MS products:
>>"while open source could appear cheap, there are extra costs in training"<<
These possible extra training costs are because too much of the current "training" only teaches people how to operate a particular version of a particular Microsoft product.
As a first step, the government should immediately decide that all of its training must teach people how to use IT, rather than just one manufacturer's products.
Gradually, this would reduce the cost of switching to "open source" products or those of other manufacturers.
It's crazy to allow the current "lock-in" to Microsoft products to continue.
7. Sarah
It's quite simple. Microsoft is the new IBM.
Those of you who have been around IT for more than a few years (like me) will remember the expression "No one ever got fired for buying IBM."
8. aidan mcguire
in response to "he knows nothing"
You cannot run this web application from a mac or linux desktop - and there are so many other examples if you are interested.
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/eservice/need.asp