- Denmark wants to get out of Microsoft’s grip, turning to Linux and LibreOffice for independence
- The Danish government chooses open source rather than the locking of suppliers and the control of foreign technologies
- LibreOffice could be free, but can it correspond to the compatibility of Microsoft Office?
Denmark embarks on an ambitious effort to reduce its dependence on software owners of foreign technology by transitioning its government systems far from the offers of Microsoft Windows and Office 365.
The Danish ministry for digitization would have planned a progressive migration to Linux and LibreOffice operating systems for the productivity of offices.
The initiative is motivated by the concerns concerning digital sovereignty and the strategic risks of dependents of foreign providers, in particular those based in the United States.
Danish officials cite the following open source offices widely used LibreOffice as the best alternative to Microsoft Office for their needs.
The ministry aims to obtain better control over software updates, data storage and security while avoiding the locking of suppliers.
This effort does not only concern costs reduction, although reduced license fees should produce financial advantages.
The fundamental objective, according to Minister Caroline Stage, is strategic: to protect Denmark’s digital infrastructure from the uncertainties of geopolitical tensions and the risk of disrupted access to American services.
This decision is aligned with a broader trend across Europe, where governments are increasingly cautious about the long -term implications of the dependence of foreign technology.
Denmark’s initiative is not unprecedented. More than a decade ago, Germany, notably the city of Munich, tried to replace Microsoft products with Linux and LibreOffice.
Despite the initial enthusiasm, the project was finally reversed due to problems of compatibility, user dissatisfaction and challenges in maintaining productivity.
Given this story, observers may wonder if Denmark’s approach can give different results.
However, the Danish government seems to be making greater caution. The deployment will be progressive and the ministry said it would temporarily return to Microsoft Tools if serious disruptions occur.
This pragmatic position indicates a desire to prioritize operational continuity in relation to strict membership in the transitional chronology.
While LibreOffice is often described as the main alternative to Microsoft Word, its real performance in government environment remains a subject of debate.
Compatibility with Microsoft Office documents and user adaptation to a new interface can apply important challenges.
Likewise, while Linux is frequently rented as a powerful and secure operating system, its stability and its support can vary depending on the distribution chosen.
In the end, the Denmark initiative represents a broader political and technological experience, that which raises important questions about control, resilience and the future of national digital infrastructure.
It remains to be seen if it will succeed where others have tripped, but what is clear is that this decision is less a question of preference software and more of which holds the keys to government technology.
Via Guru3D
