Guide to MySQL in Government

Governments worldwide are increasingly adopting open source software as their default for a variety of reasons. Not only do they benefit from dramatic cost savings, but they can also better serve their constituencies and improve their local economies. We’ve indeed come a very long way since the first public acknowledgements of open source usage by governments in the 1990s. However, while open source software is extremely attractive, its adoption can also be challenging for governments. They may lack the expertise and experience to effectively implement and manage open source solutions, having spent many years building up skills in other technologies.

In this white paper, we will help you better understand both the benefits and the typical challenges facing governmental organizations adopting open source software. We will then specifically consider the adoption of MySQL, the world’s most popular open source database, increasingly implemented at the heart of mission critical government applications at the request of government executives. Finally, we will recommend a method allowing governmental organizations to maximize the desired benefits of open source and MySQL while minimizing potential risks.