http://makeashorterlink.com/?Q3E221E29
AUGUST 27, 2004 (IDG NEWS SERVICE) - The U.K.'s National Health
Service said this week that it purchased 5,000 licenses for Sun
Microsystems Inc.'s Java Desktop System (JDS) as an alternative to
Windows, in a move that could potentially open the door to greater use
of the open-source software by the health agency.
The NHS is implementing a $9 billion program to upgrade its ailing IT
infrastructure. It began evaluating the potential use of Sun's
open-source desktop system last December. JDS includes the company's
StarOffice productivity suite, a GNOME desktop and the Mozilla Web
browser, which Sun has touted as a comprehensive open-source
alternative to Microsoft Corp.'s Windows.
The NHS's National Program for IT confirmed this week that it had
licensed JDS for "tactical deployments" within the health care service,
adding that it deemed JDS a viable desktop alternative for certain
types of user communities.
An NHS representative couldn't elaborate on where in the agency's
sprawling system -- which includes tens of thousands of users -- the
software would be deployed. A Sun representative said that details of
the deployment are still being discussed. Financial details of the deal
weren't disclosed.
The JDS adoption comes while the NHS awaits approval from the U.K.'s
treasury department on a recent agreement to license Microsoft's
desktop software. Details of that agreement haven't been released.
Microsoft is deeply involved in the National Program for IT through its
health partner in the U.K., iSoft Corp.
National Program Chief Technology Officer Duncan McNeil has waxed
positive on the merits of open-source. In a statement this week, Duncan
said that he continues to view the use of open-source software and open
systems architecture as "a key way of achieving best value and systems
interoperability in the future."
Sun's Java System is already being used as the enterprise infrastructure
software supporting the NHS's Care Records Service.
--
Michael Leuty
Nottingham, UK
|