NCC Sandpit

Press Release, 17th June 2005
From The National Computing Centre, Manchester, UK for immediate release.

Test lab to prove open source viability in public sector launched

Today, 17th June 2005, the National Computing Centre (NCC) announced the opening of a test laboratory to prove the viability of Open Source software applications and configurations for public sector organisations.

The Open Source Laboratory forms part of the Open Source Academy a national project funded by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) as part of the "eInnovations" initiative. NCC is a member of the consortium chosen to run the Open Source Academy. Other consortium members include Birmingham City Council, Bristol City Council, Cheshire County Council, Open Forum Europe, the Open Source Consortium, Shepway District Council, Socitm, and the University of Kent.

Open Source (OS) software provides an alternative and potentially more cost efficient way of delivering e-government services over the lifetime of service provision. The public sector is traditionally dominated by proprietary solutions with take up of Open Source technologies relatively low. The creation of the Open Source Laboratory will help public sector organisations evaluate OS alternatives in an independent test environment without compromising current service delivery.

Public sector organisations can trial OS applications and configurations in complete confidence at the facility in NCC's headquarters in Manchester. The facility will also be available by remote access. The first user of the facility will be Cheshire County Council which is evaluating a joint Open Source and proprietary solution for desktop services that promises significant cost savings whilst maintaining service levels.

Ed Downs, Project Manager for the Open Source Laboratory said, "The facility provides a safe environment where public sector organisations can test and evaluate innovative technologies and configurations, prove concepts and get answers to specific technical queries. All without the risk of undertaking the work in their own organisations or compromising existing service delivery".

"Many organisations have heard about the benefits of Open Source but are wary about implementing OS solutions due to technical and compatibility considerations. The Open Source Laboratory allows potential users to test configurations, evaluate the benefits and build confidence in OS technologies, without risk."

The Open Source Laboratory is available for use by all public sector organisations and provides both technical support and a suite of test bed machines held in a safe area. Access to the service is currently free. The resources can be configured, possibly in conjunction with a client's own software, to required specifications for testing and evaluation purposes. NCC will assist clients in defining the tests that will establish the information they are seeking, conducting and reporting the trials.

Chris Marsden, Cheshire County Council said, "Cheshire's experience of the OS labs is first rate, Lab technicians were able to analyse Cheshire's requirements and propose an innovative solution. Using the lab test environment allowed work to proceed quickly, requiring only minimal resources from Cheshire to take the project forward."

Organisations wishing to take advantage of the service should contact the OS labs at NCC, email oslabs@ncc.co.uk

About The National Computing Centre
The National Computing Centre (NCC) is the UK's leading IT membership organisation, serving corporate, vendor and government communities. We champion the effective use of IT to maximise the competitiveness of our members' business. We do this by providing impartial advice and support, best practice and standards and personal and professional development. NCC is a social enterprise.

Press Contacts
Michael Dean/Kath Bates
National Computing Centre
Oxford House, Oxford Road
Manchester M1 7ED
michael.dean@ncc.co.uk/kath.bates@ncc.co.uk
www.ncc.co.uk/principia
Telephone: +44 (0) 161 242 2121