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The National Open Centre (NOC) holds its official launch, hosted by John Hemming MP, in the Houses of Parliament on the 26th February 2007. Nearly 100 individuals from the ICT industry: small business, multi-nationals, proprietary and the open source community, public sector, education and the media have accepted the invitation to this landmark launch.

The NOC will help the UK to benefit from open source and open standards by developing strategic analysis and policy, clarifying opportunities and fostering innovation.

Speakers include Dr Barbara Held of the EU Commission's IDABC Programme, who is responsible for open source and open document standards matters; and John Pugh MP, primary sponsor of an Early Day Motion to promote use of open source software in schools.

Barbara Held will explain why the Commission's policy promotes open standards, open specifications and interfaces for interoperability. In particular, she will provide insights in the OSS activities that IDABC has started in order to support cross-border collaboration in eGovernment.

Barbara comments “The work of the NOC will also contribute to coordinate and further the use of open source and open standards at the European level. We need such national focal points that push for openness and interoperability to create pan-European synergies”.

John Pugh MP, the primary sponsor of an Early Day Motion on Software in schools, adds detail, from his recent discussion, of how pupils, innovation, open source software and improved spending in schools are linked and, the current efforts of Minister's to move this important topic up the agenda. MPs who registered their support of the Early Day Motion will also be attending.

Significant interest in the NOC has already been generated. An Advisory Group of 25 members, has been created, representing small business, multinational organisations, the public sector, education and the open source community. This diversity of interests is being used to guide the NOC's efforts, helping establish the topics of most importance to the UK.

Randy Metcalfe, of OSS Watch, University of Oxford adds “The National Open Centre is an exciting development for positive discussion and debate of open source issues”. Another Advisory Board member Aidan McGuire, Blue Fountain Systems states “The recognition of the importance of OS&S is growing throughout Europe and it is important that the UK is a leader in this initiative” and John Pinner, Clocksoft/ The Linux Emporium adds “The opportunities that open source software and open standards offer are, literally, without limits and we see the NOC as essential to ensuring that this is recognised and acted upon”.

The regional development agency Advantage West Midlands supports the establishment of a national policy institute and sponsors the launch. Mike Musson of AWM and Manager of the ICT Cluster, comments: "Once again Birmingham is at the heart of innovation and delivering another success story. Until now the UK has not been in a position to coordinate strategic level thinking and policy development around open source and standards. The NOC signals a positive step in enhancing our region's flourishing ICT sector."

Dr Chris Francis, Government Programmes, IBM, adds: "IBM welcomes the creation of the National Open Centre and its pro-active agenda to aid collaboration and cooperation between businesses, government and the voluntary sector. It is vital that current UK public and corporate OS&S policies deliver flexibility and efficiency for public and private organisations alike."

The pioneering work of the NOC will shape IT in the UK. From assisting the next generation of ICT users and companies to ensuring the West Midlands region and the rest of the UK can embrace innovation, make the most of future opportunities and improve economic performance.

For more information regarding the National Open Centre, and to participate in this venture, visit www.nationalopencentre.org.uk

ENDS

Notes to editors:
For more information contact:
Ed Downs
National Computing Centre
T: +44 (0) 161 242 2158
ed.downs@ncc.co.uk

Scott Thompson
OpenAdvantage (UCE Birmingham)
T: +44 (0) 121 634 1620
scott@openadvantage.org

Annette King
Digital Birmingham Innovation Manager
Service Birmingham/Birmingham City Council
T: +44 (0)121 675 1170
annette.c.king@servicebirmingham.co.uk