Linux Solutions

For the first time in British history, UK firms have been granted official permission to supply software to the public sector.

At least two open source software suppliers have been awarded places on the £80 million Software for Educational Institutions Framework, making them official suppliers to UK schools and gaining ground in what has been a drawn out battle against favouritism toward conventional software companies in UK politics and procurement.

Mark Taylor, Sirius Corporation president, one of the winning Open Source suppliers, said “We were utterly stunned. We are delighted. It’s a significant breakthrough for Open Source software.”

The United Kingdoms procurement frameworks, a fast-track process for public sector purchasers, handled £4.4bn of business in the year to April 2008. They are not supposed to prevent businesses not on the lists from selling to the public sector but, that was what has been happening, said Taylor.

“Schools would say, ‘we want this stuff, it doesn’t cost us anything and its really good’,” said Taylor. “The LA would say, ‘well the software’s not on the list, there isn’t a supplier who can supply it on the list, so you’re on your own with that.”

“So obviously there’s a reasonable amount of pressure on the schools not to,” he said.

The other open source firm is Novell UK, as confirmed by spokeswoman, Jill Henry. Novell has been on frameworks before now, but not in a capacity that would sanction its supply of open source software.

A further ten companies have been awarded places on the framework, but those names will not be released until tomorrow.

Linux IT’s managing director, Peter Dawes-Huish, said his company had pitched for a place on the framework, but withdrew when he realised he was competing for a piece of history rather than a prudent business strategy.

However, he said: “We wish Sirius very well and hope they will be very successful. It’s important not just that we support each other because we come from the same, perhaps, beliefs, in terms of the adoption of software, but it is where Mark and Sirius have their experience and we would like to see them successful.”