[Klug-general] answer to my FOI request from Kent County Coucil

[John Cundy]

There is an audit requirement to prove Value For Money (VFM) is being 
achieved, it applies to all central and local government departments. 
That could explain the level of council response, they may have it as a 
stock answer; especially when the central government has adopted a 
'digital by default' position.
The comment on complexity of software use is the most likely problem. 
Switching to an open office solution when you have over 3000 ms excel 
spreadsheet models including some 'horribly complex monsters' that 
interact with accounting systems outputs in various ways means switching 
is a problem. The slight differences in the products become major 
headaches, especially given the extreme variety in the technical ability 
of the user population.



On 14/10/14 10:05, Dan Attwood wrote:
> The detail in the reply surprised me as well. I wonder if this is 
> because in light of recent news they know they have to justify things 
> in more detail and that this leads credence to 'maybe one day...'?
>
> On 14 October 2014 10:01, Paul Littlefield <info at paully.co.uk 
> <mailto:info at paully.co.uk>> wrote:
>
>     On 13/10/14 19:38, Jonathan Kaye wrote:
>
>         FYI here is the response I received from Kent County Council
>         regarding the decision to continue using Microsoft products.
>         Any comments?
>
>
>     I am amazed that you had such a detailed reply, which explains a
>     LOT and does not suprise me about Microsoft.
>
>     Open Source is not for everyone, yet.
>
>     Maybe one day...
>
>     :)
>
>     But well done for getting THAT reply!
>
>     -- 
>
>     Paul Littlefield
>
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