October 29, 2007

Schools not to sign with Microsoft

With complaints to the Office of Fair Trading by the government’s education technology department (BECTA) it would seem that schools will be urged not to sign up for any licensing agreements with Microsoft for the products 2007 and Vista.

It is believed that this has something to do with Microsoft and anticompetitive practises with the educational software licence sector.

BECTA believe that there could be a better product by using Open Office, which is an open source suite that offers compatible solutions but with all of the aggravation that can be experienced with some Microsoft products.

This can have serious cost implications for the schools that have already signed with Microsoft, as they are being advised to consider the buyout options.

Source [Ars Technica]