The Finnish state administration is seriously considering a switch from Windows to Linux. At the moment, 88 percent of the state’s computers use a Windows operating system.

   

The cost per computer with Windows is estimated at 200 euros annually, and the state has some 147,000 computers. The savings that would result from using Linux could total up to 26 million euros each year.

   

Thirteen state offices, including four Ministries and the University of Helsinki, have been testing an open source code since December. The purpose of the tests is to determine how an open source system fits the needs of the state administration.

   

Linux is not a complete stranger to state information systems, as thirteen percent of state servers use the Linux operating system, developed by Finn Linus Torvalds.

Olli-Pekka Rissanen,

who is heading the Linux project, believes that Linux will become more and more common in state administration servers. However, he also believes that not all of the thousands of servers would switch to Linux.

   

The current problem with Windows is the high price. Microsoft changed its license policies last year, leading to higher costs for the majority of large clients.

   

Despite the cheap price of using Linux, costs would be incurred through training personnel to use the new system.

   

Rissanen also pointed out that each Ministry and state office would make the decision to switch to Linux independently, and with two systems in use, the desired cost savings would not be fully achieved.