Councils are moving away from mainframes and instead opting for Windows operating systems, according to research from the organisation representing local IT managers.
Back in 2000, only 7% of authorities ran ledger systems on Windows, while according to the latest figures this has now jumped to 29%. This trend is even more noticeable with applications which have been installed recently, such as licensing systems. Here, 84% run under Windows while the remainder are Unix. The figures are from the Society of IT Management's (Socitm) annual survey of application software. The survey's other findings show that fewer authorities are using in-house developed software. Only 7% are now going down the in-house route, whereas five years ago the figure was 16%.
Also, the main suppliers are dominant particularly for applications specific to local government. Two companies – OLM and Anite – supply 85% of local authorities with client systems for social services. Meanwhile four – Northgate, Capita, Anite and IBF – account for 91% of council tax systems.
The survey covers details of software used by 356 local authorities - 80% of the total in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland - alongside information for 34 fire authorities and 19 police forces. It also covers the software used in 70 function areas, including financial, people and property, as well as specialist systems for front line services such as environmental health, libraries, social services and housing management.
Quelle: KableNET , 22.08.2005
