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Like all public sector bodies, the Central Scotland Police (CSP) force is acutely aware of the need to balance service provision with budget constraints. In the early part of this decade, managers at the organisation decided that the use of open source software would help them cut IT costs while maintaining service quality. However, in August 2005, they reversed that decision.

Back in 2000, CSP decided to implement an open source crime reporting application. That was subsequently followed by the adoption of open source web servers, database servers, firewalls as well as Sun Microsystems' desktop software, Star Office. At the time, managers estimated that they could save an initial £245,000 compared to the cost of using software from Microsoft - making CSP a flagship user for open source enthusiasts.

Now, that initial optimism has faded. "We've had a fairly long history with open source software," explains the head of ICT at the force, David Stirling. "We've had varying levels of success depending on what we've used it for."

After undertaking a review of the IT department, CSP decided the multitude of software platforms was inefficient. It chose to standardise on Windows and Office software, signing a £60,000, three-year deal.

Stirling refuses to write off open source software, but says there are distinct cases where it is not mature enough for a large roll out. "For desktops, open source software can have a short lifespan and it needs a lot of configuration. The size of our department means we can't afford to have people spending a lot of time putting in bespoke systems. At the end of the day we are a policing organisation, not an IT one."

Interoperability issues became a problem for CSP, with the seven other Scottish forces all using Microsoft-based software. The complexity of CSP's systems compared unfavourably with other forces; staff were more comfortable using the familiar Windows environment.

Now CSP is hoping that the switch to Microsoft will reduce maintenance costs by 30%. It is anticipated that using the Microsoft desktop software will enable the force to improve its remote working capabilities, making hot-desking easier.

"Officers will be able to go to where they can be most effective and at the same time access the full range of IT solutions, which will enable them to do their job better," explains David Mulhern, CSP's deputy chief constable.

Where open source has been successful is as part of the less visible, back-end systems. The force says it will continue to use open source away from the desktop, as database servers, web servers and firewalls based on the free software have all worked well.