Free and open-source software offers governments potential
benefits like cost savings, security, transparency, and local economic growth.
However, widespread adoption faces challenges like entrenched proprietary
systems, limited awareness, and training barriers. Wise policies and
initiatives can expand open-source usage in the public sector.
Educating Government Workers
Most government employees remain unfamiliar with free software alternatives used elsewhere. Hosting conferences, seminars, and workshops
to showcase practical open-source tools for public sector work builds
knowledge. Bring in experts to demonstrate systems handling needs like records
management, service request tracking, payroll, website CMS, and more. Hands-on
exposure sparks interest.
Funding Pilot Projects
Allocate budgets for city and state agencies to implement
free software pilots for non-critical systems first. Let groups test
open-source options for email, office productivity, network servers, or other
basic functions. Successful small-scale deployments organically illustrate
benefits and get buy-in for larger mission-critical system transitions. Publish
pilot project results.
Preferential Purchasing Policies
Require procurement processes to prioritize free software
alternatives alongside or ahead of proprietary solutions for new system
purchases. Criteria could mandate considering open source first or provide
point incentives during vendor RFP evaluations for open-source products meeting
requirements. Bid requests should outline needs, not specific proprietary
brands.
Allowing Customization
Government users require tailored solutions. Leverage free
software's modularity and source code access to easily customize systems to
agency needs versus proprietary vendors' rigid one-size-fits-all model. This
flexibility justifies investments as software for governments evolves with the organization rather than forcing workflow
changes to match inflexible vendor packages.
Publishing Cost Analyses
Documenting the long-term cost advantages of free software
including lack of recurring license fees and vendor lock-in makes the ROI case.
Also factor in costs of current systems like per seat licensing, version
upgrade fees, and integration services. Public analyses counter proprietary
vendor scare tactic claims about hidden costs.
Forming Advisory Groups
Creating committees of agency IT staff, software developers,
community advocates, and vendors to recommend open-source policies and
standards ensures diverse stakeholder perspectives. Groups should aim to
balance innovation with practicality. Advisory guidance legitimizes and
improves the feasibility of eventual system migrations.
Mandating Open Formats
Legislate that government data must be published and stored
in cross-compatible open formats versus proprietary formats like DOC or XLS.
Establishing open document standards eliminates vendor restrictions for access
and exchange of public data. Formats like ODF and PDF encourage competition and
participative governance.
Developing Government Software
State-funded software projects for common needs like payroll
systems or electronic medical records can be open-sourced for sharing between
government entities with significant cost and interoperability advantages
versus agencies paying separately for proprietary systems. Collaborative
development of shared free software resources catalyzes widespread adoption.
Offering Training Incentives
Allocate funding for personnel to receive training on
high-demand open-source platforms to address skills gaps that hinder adoption.
Prioritize training existing staff over expensive vendor-led custom
implementations. Incentivize administrators and developers through funding for
certifications and accreditation in key open-source technologies and
methodologies.
Fostering Local Innovation
Support local colleges and universities in partnering with
city governments on open-source projects addressing civic challenges. This
provides students with relevant experience while engaging tomorrow's talent in
public service. Metropolitan areas can become hubs for open-source software
innovation targeting government needs through community collaboration.
Ensuring Security
Open-source code transparency allows continuous security
auditing and patching of known vulnerabilities, unlike proprietary models.
However, ensure systems are actively maintained and supported for this benefit.
Prioritize security-focused distributions like Linux to prevent concerns of
instability or malware risks.
