Her Majesty's Treasury turns to Linux

By Alun Williams

Posted on 3 Apr 2003 at 11:32

Open source software has been chosen for a new government online purchasing system.

The Office of Government Commerce (OGC) - part of HM Treasury - has chosen to adopt a Linux-based system called Purchase & Pay.

The IBM-supported system is being used within the Department of Work & Pensions for the purchase of stationery and various associated products. The government has announced, however, that its role will eventually cover a wider range of goods and services. As well as purchasing stock, the system will be developed to also handle the payment of resulting invoices online.

The system is currently being operated by OGCbuying.solutions, a body set up in April 2000 to more efficiently handle government procurement services.

'Our decision to use Open Source software was based on its proven reliability, portability and lower licensing costs,' Said Hugh Barrett, Chief Executive of OGCbuying.solutions. 'Overall it represented best value for money in this application'.

'This is a very significant development commented' Basil Cousins, secretary of Open Forum Europe. With the Treasury being at the heart of the UK government he described the latest award as 'very encouraging' for the wider adoption of Linux within UK government bodies.

Produced by Open Forum Europe, Market Perception Analysis of Open Source Software is a PDF report on commercial and government perceptions of open source software. You can read it on the organisation's Web site.