Advocacy Groups Support EC Guide Against IT Vendor Lock-In

European groups advocating public administration's use of free and open source software and open standards are welcoming the 'Guide for the procurement of standards-based ICT', published by the European Commission this week Tuesday.

Open Forum Europe, said it 'strongly supports' the EC's communication and staff working paper. "These important documents stress how necessary it is to avoid lock-in in IC systems and they promote the use of global ICT standards in public procurement." The group also welcomes the assurance that the European Commission will apply the Guide to its own procurement practises. OFE hopes other European Institutions to do likewise.