According to a French market survey, almost the entire public sector (96 %) is using open source. The most used applications are database management systems and content management systems.
The research firm who carried out the survey presented a summary of its report on the use of open source in France on 17 September in Paris. The report is based on an online survey conducted during the summer of 2009 and followed up by interviews with 160 IT project directors, heads of procurement and other IT decision makers, half of which are employed in the private sector and the other half representing the public sector. Another fifty interviews were held with IT vendors.
Next to running databases and websites, open source is mostly used for IT administration. According to the survey's results, it is expected that in 2011, some 63 % of firms and organisations will use open source office applications.
The major reason for using open source is that the products are mature, replied 77 % of the participants to the survey. The second most heard argument, at 67 %, is that open source offers independence from IT suppliers. Interoperability and the development of public policies are the reasons given by 48 and 43 % of the participants.
Using open source requires firms and organisations to seek technical assistance and support, said 54 and 44 % of the respondents. It also implies changes to their IT maintenance, said 38 % of the participants.
The research firm says that furthermore, half of the respondents say that the current financial crisis is not a reason to switch to open source. However, 39 % think that it made it more of an option. In 2011, open source will take up less than 20 % of the IT budget of public sector institutes.
Last but not least, the report foresees a growth of the French open source IT market of over 16 % in 2011.