Proprietary software and Open Source software will co-exist in most SMEs across Europe and system suppliers to European businesses. However, Open Source gives users the opportunity to increase choice, competition and efficiency, whilst achieving long term savings and avoiding lock-in with suppliers.

Administrative processes are simplified, as there is no need to match software usage against licences and product upgrades can be made as and when required.
The applications also run on a wide variety of computer hardware, avoiding the need to purchase the latest sophisticated equipment if resources are limited.

With Open Source, users are not committed to software suppliers and long contracts. The flexibility and freedom of Open Source allows local authorities to select a combination of software applications specific to their needs from the range of Open Source products available.