Austrian Armed Forces Embrace LibreOffice: A Strategic Shift in Office Software
In a bold move towards technical independence and enhanced data security, the Austrian Armed Forces have bid farewell to Microsoft Office in favor of the open-source alternative, LibreOffice. This transition, affecting approximately 16,000 workstations, marks a significant shift driven by the organization’s commitment to secure data processing within its proprietary infrastructure.
The decision to migrate from Microsoft Office to LibreOffice was set in motion as early as 2020, triggered by the trajectory of Microsoft Office moving towards cloud-based operations. By 2023, LibreOffice had already established itself as the standard across several key departments. This year, the final phase saw the removal of Microsoft Office 2016 from all systems, although select users were granted exceptions to utilize Microsoft Office 2024 LTSC or Access solutions for specific operational requirements.
LibreOffice, renowned as the leading open-source office suite, has been gaining traction among businesses and governmental entities seeking to maintain on-premises software deployments. The surge in interest can be attributed to a global trend towards digital sovereignty, particularly among non-US organizations, who are increasingly turning to open-source productivity suites to safeguard their autonomy. In a similar vein, Nextcloud, a prominent German-based company, recently unveiled its open-source service as a homegrown alternative emphasizing digital sovereignty—a direct challenge to US-based software-as-a-service giants like Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace.
One standout aspect of the Austrian Armed Forces’ transition is their active involvement in advancing the LibreOffice ecosystem. By providing financial support and engaging in the development of new features, the organization has contributed the equivalent of over five years’ worth of development time to the LibreOffice project. These contributions have led to tangible enhancements benefitting the broader LibreOffice community, such as improved list formats, metadata management capabilities, and enriched presentation features.
The Austrian Armed Forces’ embrace of LibreOffice not only underscores a strategic shift in their software landscape but also exemplifies a broader movement towards digital autonomy and data security. By championing open-source solutions and actively participating in their evolution, organizations like the Austrian Armed Forces are not only ensuring their technical independence but also fostering a collaborative environment for innovation within the larger open-source community.