Munich is moving away from proprietary software, embracing open-source solutions to enhance efficiency and save costs.
Munich is embarking on a transformative journey by replacing its proprietary software with open-source solutions, according to Dr. Laura Dornheim, the city’s Chief Digital Officer. This shift marks a significant departure from the city’s past attempt with the LiMux Linux desktop and signals a renewed commitment to leveraging open-source technologies.
Strategic Software Changes
As part of this new direction, the city is taking notable steps to replace various proprietary infrastructures. For instance, Munich plans to transition from VMware to Proxmox, and will swap Jira and Confluence for OpenProject and XWiki. Additionally, PostgreSQL is replacing Oracle databases as part of this infrastructure overhaul.
The anticipated savings from these changes are substantial, expected to reach around €1.5 million annually, illustrating the economic benefits of integrating open-source solutions.
Learning from the Past
This pivot back toward open-source comes after Munich’s previous engagement with the LiMux project, a Linux desktop distribution that had garnered international recognition. While the rollout of LiMux began in 2006 and culminated in 2013 with over 14,800 desktops in operation, political dynamics shifted after the 2014 municipal elections. Subsequently, the council reverted to Windows solutions.
Dr. Dornheim clarified that the discontinuation of LiMux was not due to technical failures but rather political shifts. “The success of open-source projects in public sectors often hinges on their alignment with the prevailing political agendas rather than their technological viability,” she explained.
Future Directions for Open Source
Looking ahead, Munich aims to pursue proprietary platforms and replace them with open-source alternatives that ensure both financial savings and greater control over their software systems. As part of this ongoing effort, the city recently introduced the principle of “public money, public code,” emphasizing that publicly funded software should be available for public scrutiny and enhancement.
This initiative continues even as the city manages its existing Windows infrastructure, showcasing a balance between adopting new technologies and maintaining current systems.
Collaboration with Other Municipalities
In addition to improving its software landscape, Munich is keen on promoting collaboration with other cities. A standout initiative is DAVe, an application that facilitates traffic data documentation and analysis, which has been utilized by cities like Wolfsburg since its 2021 inception.
Dr. Dornheim expressed her vision for a systematic approach to collaborations, stating, “We need a structured methodology to enhance partnerships across public sectors, rather than allowing these connections to occur by chance.”
Supporting Open-Source Development
To further its commitment to open-source innovation, Munich has initiated the Open Source Sabbatical program, encouraging developers to dedicate time to improving open-source projects relevant to municipal services. This initiative aims to enhance the public value of software investments by facilitating community-wide benefits.
In summary, Munich is charting a new course with open-source software, focusing not only on reducing dependence on proprietary systems but also on creating reusable public assets. The city’s efforts showcase its determination to navigate the challenges of modern software demands while setting a precedent for other municipalities to follow.
