OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE IN THE PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

Abstract

There are many proved advantages and benefits of Free/Libre Open Source Software (FLOSS): better security and reliability, avoiding lock in effect, control over handling sensitive data etc. That is a reason why EU tries to encourage the FLOSS usage in its administration and FLOSS has become very popular in public sector of EU countries in the last fifteen years. Despite that FLOSS usage in South East Europe is almost nonexistent. The focus of this paper is put on the FLOSS usage in the public administration of Bosnia and Herzegovina and on the FLOSS presence compared to proprietary software in the information system of cities and municipalities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Furthermore, the paper also presents a guideline for possible migration to FLOSS and discusses the major benefits of adopting FLOSS products within the Bosnia and Herzegovina public administration.

Keywords

• open source software
• public administration
• benefits
• migration
• information science