Report highlights software spending

In a report of nearly 100 pages, the Court of Auditors examined the expenses of the State related to its office and collaboration tools. The report suggests that between 30 and 65 million euros per year in savings could be possible if the use of free software was more systematic.

State's projected spending on software

The Court estimates that in 2025, the State would have spent 100 million euros on equipping its operators and ministries with office tools. This amount consists of 13 million euros for IT teams, 26 million euros in services, and 61 million euros spent on licenses.

Main software providers

This sum would mostly go to Microsoft, but also to Bleu, a joint venture between Orange and Capgemini, which hosts Microsoft's tools on a sovereign cloud. The report highlights that while the current amounts of these expenses are minimal compared to the total digital budget of the State, which amounts to 5.5 billion euros, they have increased by 50% between 2021 and 2025, mainly due to the costs of software licenses.

Use of Microsoft software

The Court of Auditors deplores the massive use of the Microsoft Office suite in the various ministries, even though historically they were free to choose their tools. This overall use is also contrary to the requirements of digital sovereignty, but temporarily allowed by the Prime Minister.

Cost comparison and success of free software

Where the Microsoft suite costs between 150 and 200 euros per year according to the Interministerial Direction of Digital Affairs (DINUM), the free alternative LibreOffice is free. The Court of Auditors mentions that the General Directorate of the National Gendarmerie (DGGN) and the General Directorate of Public Finances (DGFiP) have completely given up on paid software, while maintaining a level of satisfaction of their staff equal to that of public officials in other administrations.

Challenges in switching to free software

The Court of Auditors attributes the difficulties of moving away from Windows software to persistent habits within the ministries. It also advances points of friction, such as some advanced uses not reproducible, and limited interoperability ensured by free solutions, as well as a lack of time and resources to train staff in these tools.

Development of free software tools

The report also looks at the ongoing development of La Suite, a set of tools developed by the DINUM from free software, which was tested by BFM Tech. This suite consists of Tchap for online messaging, Visio for calls and webinars, France Transfert for secure sending of large files, Docs for text processing, Grist for spreadsheets and data management, as well as Messagerie for emails and Fichiers for collaborative work.

Challenges in developing La Suite

Developed by independent developers, based on open code, these tools are identified as promising by the authority, which reminds the need for attention to development costs. It also points out the use of independent contractors, which are expensive and incompatible with the development and long-term maintenance of a software suite.

Recommendations for migration

Therefore, the institution recommends establishing a mid-term strategy to ensure the migration to free software, "in view of the imperative of digital sovereignty and the budgetary constraint." The recommendations of the Court follow several axes. First, it wants to involve the ministries in the development of La Suite, to ensure that its software will be as close as possible to the needs of each administration.

Future goals and strategy

Bringing office tools into the interministerial governance missions of the DINUM could also help bypass resistance within the ministries. Then, for the development of La Suite, it recommends associating more broadly with experienced digital companies in free software, rather than only relying on independent contractors, internally. Finally, it sets the goal of initiating, as early as 2027, a convergence of interministerial office and collaborative tools, and recommends the establishment of a three to four year plan for the strategy of the ministries and operators, to migrate to free software. These would be hosted by the State or a cloud labeled SecNumCloud, the cybersecurity qualification of the National Agency for Information System Security (ANSSI).