Update: Newham Council Goes to MS... Based on Not-So-Independent Study

ComputerWeekly: Newham: Staying With Microsoft Is '68% Cheaper Than Open Source'

"Newham Borough Council has revealed that staying with Microsoft software is 68% cheaper than open source systems, according to an independent study.

"The results emerged from the high-profile trial held by the London council that compared the costs and benefits of existing Microsoft software against open source technologies..."

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The Register: Newham and Microsoft Sign 10-yr Deal

"One of the deciding factors for Newham in appointing Microsoft as its strategic partner was an IT audit and analysis carried out by CapGemini. Although CapGemini makes a big noise about being independent from Microsoft, the study was indeed funded by the software firm . One of the main conclusions of its research was that as well as being cheaper than OSS, Microsoft is more secure than the open source alternative.

"It takes a lot to raise a laugh at an IT press gig, but this news tickled the spot for the journalists at today's press conference in London..."

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Related Stories:

• ComputerWeekly: Council IT Chiefs Want Licence Role(Feb 24, 2004)
• VNUnet: Newham Saves £1m a Year in Microsoft Deal(Jan 29, 2004)
• Techworld: Newham Council: How Microsoft Fought Back Against the Linux Onslaught(Jan 23, 2004)
• The Register: Newham Ditches IBM OSS Trial, But Goes to Extra Time with MS Price Talks(Jan 06, 2004)