IN 2004, three institutions - the Department of Mathematics, Physics, and IT at Comenius University in Bratislava, Gordias and EEA - completed a study on open source software.
"We have found out that open source software is a real and usable alternative. We see open source software and proprietary coexisting together," concluded Peter Marman, the head of the study. Basic results showed:
It is possible to use open source software in the information systems of the state administration as well as in local government administration, education and small and medium businesses.
If implemented on a large scale, open source software could bring significant savings to society, resulting in an Sk18 billion (€460,000 million) savings in eight years. Other positive effects include a stronger position of local software producers and increased availability of basic information technologies in public and commercial life.
Implementation of open source software in the public sector is a strategic issue for society at large since it would help Slovakia develop as an information-based economy.
