The use of open source software and connected services has been given the green light for the public sector, public education and higher education institutions, the deputy minister in charge of information technology and communications said on Thursday.
Under a general agreement on public procurement procedures, the same amount will be allocated for the acquisition of Microsoft and Novell products as for open source software, said Ferenc Baja. The sum available is 12 billion forints each, he added.
The decision to allow open source software in public procurements has been made to boost competition in Hungary and give professional and research organisations a chance to collaborate with other market players and promote the open source approach, Baja said.
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