Instead of Open XML, BECTA wants the EU to compel Microsoft to support open standards, such as the Open Document Format. By Paul McDougall The agency that governs educational technology in the UK has filed a formal complaint against Microsoft with the...

UK education agency: Office 2007 still not interoperable

By Jacqui Cheng | Published: May 13, 2008 - 12:00PM CT

A UK education technology agency has issued another interoperability complaint about Microsoft to the European Commission. The British Educational Communications and Technology Agency (BECTA) confirmed yesterday that it welcomed the EC's most recent antitrust investigation against Microsoft, and that it had handed over its own evidence to the Commission in hopes of supporting a wider investigation.

BECTA reiterated its belief that Microsoft limits document interoperability in Office 2007, which ultimately limits choice. "In the context of the education system this can result in higher prices and a range of other unsatisfactory effects which have a negative impact on wider policy initiatives, including improving educational outcomes, facilitating home school links and addressing the digital divide," the agency wrote in a statement on its website.

This complaint follows a previous submission to the Office of Fair Trading last October, when BECTA voiced concerns over what it considered to be "impediments to effective interoperability" in Office 2007. Specifically, the agency felt that Office needed stronger support for the ODF format...
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