Gendarmerie and DGFiP use free software

The national gendarmerie and the general Directorate of Public Finances (DGFiP) have been using free software for more than twenty years, unlike most other ministries that still rely on Microsoft products.

Free software adoption began in the early 2000s

The national gendarmerie started shifting to free software in the early 2000s, replacing Microsoft Office with OpenOffice and later LibreOffice. This move aimed to use open standards and avoid dependency on commercial software.

Gendarmerie replaced Windows with Linux

The gendarmerie took its free software transition further by replacing Windows with its own Linux distribution, GendBuntu, which now runs on 72,000 laptops. It also uses free messaging systems and document sharing tools.

Some Windows use remains necessary

Despite its strong commitment to free software, the gendarmerie still uses Windows and Office on about 2,500 workstations. This is needed for compatibility with other ministries and certain business software that only works on Windows.

DGFiP moved to free software for cost savings

The DGFiP moved to free software in the late 2000s mainly to reduce costs. It replaced Microsoft Office with LibreOffice and restructured its messaging system using free components.

DGFiP uses a mix of free and proprietary tools

While the DGFiP uses LibreOffice extensively, it also relies on a proprietary collaborative platform called Novae. Some staff still use Microsoft Office for specific tasks, especially those requiring advanced Excel functions.

Staff satisfaction with free software is high

According to internal surveys, most DGFiP staff are satisfied with LibreOffice and the collaborative platform Novae. Satisfaction levels are high even when compared to Microsoft Office, indicating that the choice of software is less important than training and support.

Cost savings from free software are significant

Using free software instead of Microsoft Office saves the state a significant amount of money. DINUM estimates that replacing Microsoft licenses with free software could save between 30 and 65 million euros annually.

Free software requires specialized skills and support

While free software is cost-effective, it requires specialized technical skills and ongoing support, which are rare and highly sought after. The Ministry of Culture experienced difficulties with free software and later returned to Microsoft Office.

State aims to expand free software use

The State is moving toward more widespread use of free software, with DINUM planning to replace Windows with Linux on its workstations. The Court of Audits recommends a migration to online free office tools starting in 2027.