[DS-public] EC: The Momentum of Open Standards - a Pragmatic Approach to Software Interoperability

[Alberto Barrionuevo]

Just received:

"The Momentum of Open Standards - a Pragmatic Approach to Software 
Interoperability"
Author: Trond Arne Undheim | Jochen Friedrich
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"Software is increasingly embedded in society. Fewer and fewer solutions are 
stand-alone, hence interoperability amongst software from different vendors is 
crucial to governments, industry and the third sector. However, our research 
shows that achieving wide implementation does not only depend on the openness 
of the process, but also on the willingness to negotiate and achieve a 
compromise. We document the momentum of open standards in all sectors of 
society as illustrated by government policies, procurement and business 
practices and impacts on efficiency and effectiveness of public service delivery 
and business operations. Open standards achieve increasing momentum because 
standard setting actors – companies, governments, and consumers – are shifting 
from a dogmatic to a pragmatic perspective – from adherence to strict 
principles, to commitment to a path towards openness. 
While software preference mandates can have effect in specific instances such as 
document formats, openness generally cannot be declared and introduced by 
decree. Open standards are the best way to software interoperability, 
especially when available royalty free. 
The European public sector has a leadership position and, consequently, public 
authorities started implementing the specific elements on openness and 
interoperability into the respective policies. This is good and important, it 
should be taken up by more public authorities in Europe and in a combined and 
coordinated way. After all, requiring openness and interoperability means 
nothing less but walk the talk. "

http://www.epracticejournal.eu/document/5156/download

Saludos,
-- 
Alberto Barrionuevo
President FFII
www.ffii.org