LiMux
A Debian-based Linux distribution project led by the Munich city government to migrate municipal computers away from proprietary systems. Initiated in 2003 and largely completed by 2013, the project was reversed in 2017 due to compatibility and operational efficiency concerns, with a decision to return to Windows.
Timeline (last 90 days)
The city of Munich, Germany, launched the LiMux project in 2003, migrating thousands of government computers to a Debian-based LiMux system, but reversed course to Windows in 2017 citing compatibility and collaboration issues.
Analyses of the LiMux failure generally point to key causes including a lack of sustained investment in employee training during migration, friction from document format interoperability, and wavering political will in the later stages of the project, rather than the capabilities of open-source software itself.
In 2003, the Munich city council decided to migrate approximately 14,000 government computers from Windows to LiMux, a Debian-based distribution, and deploy LibreOffice alongside it.
Munich's LiMux migration was largely completed by 2013, with officials claiming savings of approximately 11 million euros in licensing fees.
The Munich LiMux project revealed three core elements required for government open-source migration: long-term political commitment, adequate technical preparation, and ecosystem support.
Munich's LiMux project was declared complete in 2013, and in 2017 the new city government decided to return to Windows.
Munich's LiMux project launched in 2004, migrating 15,000 computers from Windows to a customized Linux distribution called LiMux based on Ubuntu, paired with LibreOffice and open-source applications.
Munich's LiMux project was declared complete in 2013, but in 2017 the new city government decided to return to Windows, citing reasons including technical debt, maintenance costs, and user satisfaction.
All Facts (8)
Analyses of the LiMux failure generally point to key causes including a lack of sustained investment in employee training during migration, friction from document format interoperability, and wavering political will in the later stages of the project, rather than the capabilities of open-source software itself.
50%UnverifiedMunich's LiMux migration was largely completed by 2013, with officials claiming savings of approximately 11 million euros in licensing fees.
50%UnverifiedThe Munich LiMux project revealed three core elements required for government open-source migration: long-term political commitment, adequate technical preparation, and ecosystem support.
50%UnverifiedThe city of Munich, Germany, launched the LiMux project in 2003, migrating thousands of government computers to a Debian-based LiMux system, but reversed course to Windows in 2017 citing compatibility and collaboration issues.
50%UnverifiedIn 2003, the Munich city council decided to migrate approximately 14,000 government computers from Windows to LiMux, a Debian-based distribution, and deploy LibreOffice alongside it.
50%UnverifiedMunich's LiMux project was declared complete in 2013, and in 2017 the new city government decided to return to Windows.
50%UnverifiedMunich's LiMux project launched in 2004, migrating 15,000 computers from Windows to a customized Linux distribution called LiMux based on Ubuntu, paired with LibreOffice and open-source applications.
50%UnverifiedMunich's LiMux project was declared complete in 2013, but in 2017 the new city government decided to return to Windows, citing reasons including technical debt, maintenance costs, and user satisfaction.
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