Schleswig-Holstein relies on digital sovereignty: open source for administration!

Schleswig-Holstein relies on digital sovereignty: open source for administration!

The Schleswig-Holstein government is sending a bold signal for the digital future! A new strategy for “open innovation and open source” will pave the way for a comprehensive switch to free software in administration. The starting signal was given in April when the black-green coalition introduced LibreOffice as standard office software for around 25,000 IT workstations. Now the next step follows: The switch to Linux as the operating system is intended to strengthen the digital sovereignty of the authorities and offer a user-friendly, customizable interface.

The measures are ambitious! In addition to switching to Linux, the government plans to introduce the open standard ODF (Open Document Format) and a collaboration platform based on Nextcloud. The Open Xchange groupware with email, calendar and address book will also be part of the plan. Digital Minister Dirk Schrödter (CDU) emphasizes that Microsoft products will soon be a thing of the past. “We want to make the transition as smooth as possible,” he promises and announces comprehensive training for employees.

A fundamental change in administration

The state government hopes that this transformation will not only improve IT security, but also lower costs and more data protection. The previous black-green-yellow government had already sought a complete replacement of Microsoft and Co. in 2017. Schrödter sees the current conditions as ideal: “The trend towards location-independent working in the cloud offers a unique opportunity to achieve digital sovereignty.” Schleswig-Holstein also wants to promote the regional digital economy and invest IT funds in development and support contracts instead of in license fees.

The country wants to actively shape the digital future by setting up an Open Source Program Office (OSPO) and participating in the German administrative cloud. The vision is clear: a modern, transparent and efficient management system that meets the requirements of the digital era!