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Munich Rejects Linux Desktop, Embraces Open Source Infrastructure
16 Oct
Summary
- Munich is replacing proprietary infrastructure with open-source alternatives.
- The shift is expected to save the city approximately €1.5 million annually.
- Politics, not technical issues, led to the initial abandonment of Linux.
- The city is now actively building and sharing software with other municipalities.
Munich is undergoing a significant shift towards open-source software, focusing on infrastructure rather than a return to its previous Linux desktop, LiMux. This new strategy aims to replace proprietary systems with open-source alternatives, a move anticipated to save the city over €1.5 million each year.
The city's previous departure from Linux over a decade ago was attributed to political shifts, not technical shortcomings. Dr. Laura Dornheim, Munich's chief digital officer, highlighted that open-source initiatives in the public sector often falter due to a lack of political alignment.
Munich's current approach involves replacing specific proprietary software layers with open-source solutions. Examples include switching from VMware to Proxmox and from Jira to OpenProject. This initiative also embraces the "public money, public code" principle, encouraging the development and sharing of software across municipalities.
The city has established an Open Source Program Office in 2024 to coordinate its open-source efforts. Munich is now actively participating in software development, contributing to projects like DAVe and MUCGPT, and aims to make shared software development a structured process rather than an accidental occurrence.
