Open source key to unlocking government digital transformation – WSO2

As governments around the world strive to modernise their digital services and infrastructure, open source software is emerging as a critical enabler, according to Devaka Randeniya, SVP & CRO at WSO2.

In a recent discussion with Think Digital Partners, Randeniya highlighted the advantages open source can bring to the public sector.

“Open source really works towards avoiding lock-in,” he said, adding that vendor independence is crucial for governments, who must maintain sovereignty and the ability to operate even during geopolitical crises.

Beyond avoiding lock-in, open source software can also facilitate data sharing and interoperability across government agencies. Asanka Abeysinghe, CTO at WSO2, pointed to the Open Data Initiative as an example of a unified data model across government. This ability to break down silos and enable cross-agency collaboration is crucial for governments seeking to provide seamless, citizen-centric digital services.

Additionally, Randeniya said open source solutions can also help governments address the challenge of limited budgets and skills shortages. “The lack of skills [is] extremely expensive to get things done,” he said.

WS02’s stance is that by empowering developers to do more with less, open source software can help governments achieve their digital transformation goals without breaking the bank. As Randeniya explained, “Our job is to empower the organisations, the leadership and the developers so that they can actually do what they have to do” – even with fewer resources.

Platform-based approach

Compounding these challenges is a reliance in the public sector on aging, mainframe-based technologies. Said Abeysinghe: “Most of the governments are running on large mainframes, and what type of old technology? So how you can modernise this and then provide that digital experience?”

Abeysinghe believes the key is to focus on building differentiated capabilities on top of a flexible business platform, and leverage technologies that can help organisations “do more with less.”

As to WS02’s own software platform, Randeniya said it enables governments to “get off to the races” with developers who have only basic programming skills, rather than requiring highly experienced, expensive talent.

“Our job is to tell our customers, ‘you don’t need to go hire a person who has a degree, you don’t need to go hire a person who has five years of experience.’”