The Swiss Federal Chancellery has confirmed plans to launch a follow-up program trialing free and open-source software as a replacement for Microsoft 365 within the Federal Administration. This decision follows a recent proof-of-concept study which concluded that it is feasible for the executive branch to function using open-source alternatives.
The initial study tested a comprehensive suite of browser-based solutions covering "document editing, email, calendar, contacts, tasks, file storage, audio and video conferencing, chat, and identity and access management." While the report acknowledged "technical, operational, and organizational hurdles" that currently prevent widespread productive use, it determined that the tested solution was "fundamentally suitable for core standard processes."
According to the Swiss Federal Council, the new program aims to make sovereign workplace software available to approximately 3,000 employees by the end of 2027. The initiative will be funded from resources already approved by Parliament for the development of a sovereign Swiss open-source platform for office automation.
This move aligns with broader trends in Europe regarding "digital sovereignty," where several states are reducing reliance on extra-European dependencies. France, for instance, has been moving away from Windows in favor of Linux. Similarly, the EU has encouraged teams to adopt open-source software to promote adoption across member states. Switzerland’s shift is partly driven by concerns over being locked into an ecosystem where prices are dictated by a single vendor, though cost savings are also considered a potential benefit.
