Lyon, France Switches to Linux and OnlyOffice: Is Microsoft Worried?
Recently, I came across a joke in a small circle that described the situation as – “In the future, civil servants in Lyon, France won’t even be nostalgic for the blue screen anymore.” Upon reading it, I realized this is no joke.
The third largest city in France, the Lyon city government has officially announced the discontinuation of Microsoft Office and Windows, even abandoning SQL Server for databases, and is fully transitioning to a Linux and OnlyOffice setup. You read that right; this is the path of “digital sovereignty” that we have been discussing for years, and it is starting to be implemented little by little.
To be honest, while this move may not seem very popular, its impact is quite profound. Just think about it, the Windows logo on the desk is gone, replaced by a little penguin; document processing is no longer done with Word or Excel, but with OnlyOffice. The meeting collaboration platform is no longer Teams; instead, they have collaborated with local IT vendors to create a platform called ‘Open Digital Territory’ (the French name is not mentioned, it sounds like ordering in a café).
What’s interesting is that this is a purely localized government cloud platform, with servers located in France, and it has received special funding from the French government. Lyon has rolled up its sleeves and collaborated with local IT companies to crowdsource the software, and now thousands of civil servants from nine localities rely on this system for their daily tasks.
Don’t think this is just about being ‘cheap’. I looked into it, and every action behind this decision is calculated clearly.
First, controllability. Your data stays within the city and does not go abroad. With the U.S. ‘Cloud Act’ causing trouble, it would be quite difficult for them to access your data.
Second, cost. The Linux and open-source suite itself has almost no licensing fees, and hardware does not need to be frequently replaced; old computers can still be used. Don’t underestimate the money saved each year; it could mean a few more baguettes with butter for salaries.
Third, ecological independence. OnlyOffice is open-source, and it can handle collaborative work, spreadsheets, and presentations quite well. Moreover, upgrades, maintenance, and secondary development are all managed by the local IT team. Government work won’t face issues like ‘I came back from lunch and my document is gone’ every day.
Of course, this wave of ‘de-Microsoftization’ is not just happening in Lyon. Just recently, Denmark’s digital department announced the abandonment of Microsoft, and shortly after, a northern German state followed suit, with cities like Copenhagen also doing the same. Across Europe, this trend is becoming clear.
Ultimately, the data anxiety in Europe has not subsided over the past two years. With the tightening of U.S. laws, using Azure or AWS means that theoretically, your data can still be accessed. The EU officials may not say it out loud, but they are well aware of this. That’s why they are investing real money to support their own IT circles, such as standard local clouds, and prioritizing local brands for software, ensuring that the second-hand ecosystem can still survive.
Domestic netizens seeing this news might be wondering, “Will Microsoft feel the pinch?” In reality, these cities’ procurement orders are like a hair being pulled from an elephant. A short-term loss of some orders won’t affect the overall market. However, it’s worth noting that when small local governments take the lead in ‘self-sufficient open-source’, it could be the beginning of a ‘snow avalanche’ for the entire ecosystem.
Let’s be clear. Is OnlyOffice really comparable to Microsoft Office? Sorry, it definitely falls short. Once you use it, you’ll know that it lacks in format compatibility and complex review features, and there are still details to work on. However, for daily administrative documents, writing tables, and collaborative meetings, it’s still acceptable. As for Linux, it goes without saying that its stability is strong, and it runs well on older machines. Using PostgreSQL for databases is a solid choice; anyone who uses it knows its worth.
I’ve done the math for you. The costs for Microsoft Office and Windows, along with frequent upgrade and maintenance fees, plus various licensing costs, can add up to over a thousand RMB per person each year. The open-source setup has initial costs, but maintenance is easy, and it saves more money over time. Stopping this now means visible budget savings, and local IT companies can still make a living.
Here’s a fun fact. Using open-source software and managing your own cloud can significantly extend the lifespan of old computers. With a lower upgrade frequency, this is a boon for those of us who are ‘picking up trash’! The city government’s approach likely prevented a lot of old devices from entering the second-hand market and becoming scrap metal.
That said, I must temper the enthusiasm.
First, this roadmap is suitable for large, comprehensive government departments. If you are a small business or an individual, unless you have extreme privacy or compliance needs, there’s really no need to go through the hassle of migration. Familiarity with tools leads to higher efficiency.
Second, early adoption brings early benefits, while late adoption can lead to falling behind. If you prioritize security and control, trying out open-source alternatives early and experiencing the world of niche operating systems might surprise you.
In conclusion, I have one piece of advice.
Not everyone needs to go through such radical changes, but this serves as a reminder – the only ones who can truly ‘take responsibility’ for data sovereignty are ourselves. No matter how many promises others make, it’s always safer to press the shutdown button yourself.
That’s all.