SME in the Deep-freeze: Small and Medium sized Enterprises left out in the Cold

Every government has the obligation to take care spending public funds. For that reason regional, national and even international rules have been set in place. You're not allowed to exclude providers or suppliers nor to promote them without good cause. You are supposed not to gain from an assignment or order (read bribery). Unfair competitive advantages (specific product or brand requests) nor between company agreements (cartel) are allowed. The procurement must be transparent and all information must be publicly available. And anyone selected for providing the goods or services must be a respectful and trusted supplier. And, we're economic: spending should be minimal.

How closed source IT gets access to Dutch parliament

Dutch Senate (Eerste Kamer) MPs get iPads to use at work, contrary blandly to their commitment to start using more open technology. Do they really understand the issue?