(Israel) won't renew software agreement with Microsoft

Globes & Arutz Sheva ^ | 13 October 2003 | Gal Nissim

[anotherview]

State won't renew software agreement with Microsoft

The government is looking for a cheaper alternative to the three year licensing agreement signed with Microsoft in 2001.

Gal Nissim 13 Oct 03 17:24

The Ministry of Finance will not renew the agreement for the use of Microsoft products by government ministries, on the grounds that the price offered by Microsoft is too high. The ministry says cheaper alternatives are being examined.

Through the Accountant General, the Israeli government signed an umbrella agreement with Microsoft giving government ministries the right to use the company's products in return for annual payments. The products concerned were mainly the "Windows" operating system, and the "Office" applications package. The agreement was signed in 2001 and was for three years.

The Ministry of Finance said in response that, following an examination by its tenders committee for information systems and computing, it was unanimously decided to inform Microsoft that the government did not intend to renew the agreement for a further three years. The ministry cited three main reasons for the decision: the agreement's structure, the price of Microsoft's software licenses, and unnecessary software upgrades.

Published by Globes [online] - www.globes.co.il - on October 13, 2003

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From Arutz Sheva:

Finance Ministry Gives Microsoft the Boot

21:19 Oct 13, '03 / 17 Tishrei 5764

(IsraelNN.com) Ministry of Finance officials have announced that in the coming years, the contract with Microsoft would not be renewed; explaining less expensive alternatives are being sought.

[anotherview]

The Linux community probably sees this as a great opportunity.

[anotherview]

ping

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[TommyDale]

BFD.

[Orangedog]

The ministry cited three main reasons for the decision: the agreement's structure, the price of Microsoft's software licenses, and unnecessary software upgrades.

"What do you mean Office 97 does everything you need?! Well tough, we're going to MAKE you upgrade to Office XP. And if you have a problem with out licensing policy, well that's just too damn bad!"

[JimboUSofA]

It's as if MS monopolized both cars and gas and compelling us to buy new cars every two years because the old car won't run on the new gas.

[JimboUSofA]

LOL. I guess you're not the world's biggest computer nerd.

[2111USMC]

Ah man!

Wait 'til the Apple and Linux people spot this thread.

To Windows users: DUCK!