They would have replaced Office for free, but they hit a wall.

Denmark's Digitalization Ministry attempted to replace Microsoft Office with the open-source Collabora Office to assess Europe's independence from American tech. The project, initiated in 2025 with 38 employees, aimed for greater technological autonomy rather than just cost savings. However, after less than six months, the trial was halted due to numerous technical issues that hindered daily work, such as formatting errors and missing fonts. Collabora claimed initial success in integrating their software but acknowledged subsequent problems. The project's suspension was linked to a government reorganization, leaving no official evaluation of Collabora's suitability. This case highlights the challenges Europe faces in replacing entrenched American software systems, emphasizing the need for thorough preparation for such transitions.