OpenForum Europe

Who We Are

Independent of any one company, OpenForum Europe (OFE) was set up by the not-for-profit IT Forum Foundation to accelerate, broaden and strengthen the use of OSS, including Linux, within business - importantly within the context of open verifiable standards. OFE has gained significant credibility and reputation by adopting a business led approach throughout, non-evangelical, independent and one based on hard evidence. In particular it has encouraged procurement policies which involve making balanced ‘strategic IT choices’ between open source and closed source solutions aligned to proven technical and integration capability.

What We Do

OFE has promoted informed debate on the pluses and minuses in a balanced environment. Building on open standards as the ‘essential base’, OFE has led initiatives and comment on the business opportunity and outstanding issues for adoption. OFE has been a regular contributor to press articles and comment (including European based nationals, Wall Street Journal etc) and conference speaking. In the UK its members sponsored a highly successful business supplement with the IOD to 57,000 Directors, using a ‘One Year On’ set of research on CxO business perceptions. This research remains unique globally and continues to be widely referenced and quoted. Also for example OFE sits on the UK Government SIG and during a period of intense debate has been able to undertake a number of lead projects to facilitate thinking, particularly in local government. This market is now set to expand rapidly in the next 12 months, supported by the OGC initiative on pilots. At the European Commission OFE has gained a lead position of industry influence, being invited to attend core think tanks (including one by Commissioner Liikanen), arranging meetings for members with senior officials and politicians, and pulling together the leading decision makers and influencers from both the EC itself and from member states.

A new initiative from OFE is a programme to develop the OSS & Linux Professional Skills pool.

Open Forum Europe is the UK Affiliate of the Linux Professional Institute

Read more about OSA