Schleswig-Holstein Migrates to Open Source for Digital Sovereignty
Schleswig-Holstein is undergoing a significant digital transformation. The state has begun a multi-year open-source strategy, aiming for digital sovereignty in its IT workplace. The latest move sees the replacement of Microsoft SharePoint with Nextcloud as the central collaboration platform.
The state's long-term vision includes replacing Windows with open-source operating systems like Linux on all state computers. This is part of the '+1.Linux Arbeitsplatz' project. LibreOffice has already been introduced as the standard office software, replacing Microsoft Office.
The migration process is well underway. In early October, the state administration completed the migration of its entire email system from Microsoft Exchange and Outlook to open-source solutions Open-Xchange and Thunderbird. Over 40,000 mailboxes, containing over 100 million emails and calendar entries, were successfully transitioned. Around 30,000 employees across various state departments have now adopted the use of open-source software for email communication. The Digital Ministry acknowledges the pioneering nature of this project and the challenges faced by employees during the transition.
Following the email system migration, Microsoft Office will be gradually removed from all state computers. The state plans to use OpenTalk for video conferences and open-source solutions for telephone systems. The ultimate goal is to achieve digital sovereignty and reduce dependence on proprietary software.
