Federal Computer Week published a report last week about the Navy’s move toward open standards in its information technology operations. FCW quotes Vice Admiral Mark Edwards as saying, “The days of proprietary technology must come to an end.” One of the motivations for moving toward open standards is to cut costs in operating information technology. Read the rest of the article here.

Applications for Education
The Navy is moving toward open standards as a cost cutting measure. Schools should also look at open standards and open software as a cost cutting measure. In an education environment, using open standards and open software can increase the amount of money spent on hardware without increasing the technology budget. Proprietary programs while often more common and familiar to the average end user, are costly and in some cases limiting. Using open source programs increases budget flexibility allowing schools to invest in improving hardware and networks.