France's state spends 100 million euros annually on Microsoft office software, prompting a push for free alternatives to save costs and boost digital sovereignty.
French State spends 100 million euros annually on Microsoft office software
The French government spends 100 million euros per year on office software, with Microsoft being the primary recipient. This figure, calculated by the Court of Audit, includes licenses, services, and IT team salaries for word processors, spreadsheets, email, and video conferencing tools used across central and decentralized state services.Microsoft dominates software usage in most ministries
Microsoft's Office suite is used on nearly all 860,000 computers in the ministries, except for the gendarmerie and tax administration, which have successfully operated without it. The gendarmerie, in particular, has transitioned to free, open-source software since the early 2000s.Financial officials push for a shift to free software
Financial officials are advocating for a move toward free software, citing potential cost savings and concerns over data sovereignty. The report highlights that the cost of an Office license is 150 to 200 euros per employee annually, while free alternatives like LibreOffice are available at no cost.Cost per computer reveals disparities
The average annual cost for office and collaborative tools per computer is 87 euros. However, this varies significantly by ministry. For example, the Ministry of the Interior spends about 20 euros per computer, while the Ministry of Culture spends 378 euros, largely due to its use of Microsoft 365.Microsoft 365 is banned but still used
Microsoft 365, the online version of Office, has been banned since 2021 due to data security concerns linked to American law. However, some ministries have received temporary exemptions, allowing them to continue using it until 2026 or later.Gendarmerie and tax administration lead free software adoption
The gendarmerie and the tax administration (DGFiP) have successfully transitioned to free software, reducing costs and improving data sovereignty. The gendarmerie uses a Linux-based operating system called GendBuntu on 72,000 laptops, while the DGFiP abandoned Office in the late 2000s for cost and security reasons.Challenges remain in transitioning to free software
Despite the benefits, some ministries still rely on Windows and Microsoft Office for specific tasks, such as exchanging files with other departments. This creates compatibility issues and limits the full transition to free software, even as staff satisfaction levels remain similar across platforms.Free software could save 30 to 65 million euros annually
The Court of Audit estimates that switching to free software directly installed on computers could save the state between 30 and 65 million euros per year. However, most ministries are exploring Bleu, a French cloud service that runs Microsoft 365, despite it not yet meeting cybersecurity standards.Government commits to a transition plan
The government has welcomed the Court of Audit’s recommendations and plans to create ARIANE in 2027 to oversee technological choices. A multi-year transition plan is expected, though the timeline remains flexible, and the focus on European industrial solutions may influence future contracts.
