The German state of Schleswig-Holstein will stop using Teams, Word, Excel, and Outlook in favor of open-source alternatives like LibreOffice, Open-Xchange, and Linux.
Schleswig-Holstein, one of the northernmost states in Germany, has announced the phased elimination of Microsoft programs in public administration. In less than three months, no official, police officer, or judge in this state will use Teams, Word, Excel, or Outlook in their work environment. The move will immediately affect half of the 60,000 public employees, and over the next few years, around 30,000 teachers will also make the switch.
The process began in 2023 with the replacement of Word and Excel by LibreOffice and Outlook by Open-Xchange for email and calendar management. The next phase involves a complete migration to the Linux operating system, thus abandoning Windows as well.
Digital Sovereignty and Data Control
The decision aims to "regain control over data storage" and ensure "digital sovereignty," as explained by Dirk Schroedter, the digitalization minister of Schleswig-Holstein, in statements to AFP. Schroedter emphasized the importance of reducing dependence on large U.S. tech providers and building digital infrastructures under German public control.
The geopolitical context, marked by Donald Trump’s return to the White House and tensions between the United States and the European Union, has heightened interest in such initiatives. "The war in Ukraine has highlighted our energy dependencies, and now we see that digital dependencies also exist," the minister noted.
Beyond Microsoft: Data in German Public Cloud
The regional government also plans to move data storage to public cloud systems managed in Germany, thereby avoiding infrastructures under the control of foreign companies.
Schleswig-Holstein’s move could generate savings of tens of millions of euros, thanks to lower costs for licenses and staff training in open-source tools. "Public agencies and companies are often cornered by the high unexpected costs of mandatory updates to proprietary software," points out Benjamin Jean, a consultant at Inno3.
The Challenge: Resistance to Change
Despite the economic and sovereignty advantages, the transition presents challenges: employee resistance to changing their digital habits is a recognized obstacle. Past experiences, such as Munich’s pioneering migration in the 1990s, faced setbacks due to a lack of political support and interoperability difficulties. However, there are successful examples, such as the French Gendarmerie and the Indian Ministry of Defence, which have established their own open-source systems.
The rise of this trend may be bolstered by the recent implementation of the "Interoperable Europe Act" by the European Union, which encourages the use of open-source software in public administrations.
An Increasing Trend in Europe
The case of Schleswig-Holstein has already attracted international interest. Neighboring countries, such as Denmark (Copenhagen and Aarhus), are considering adopting a similar approach. Experts believe that in a few years, there will be a critical mass of administrations capable of sharing their experiences and inspiring other agencies.
Schleswig-Holstein’s commitment to free software represents a strategic move to reduce technological dependence, improve digital sovereignty, and cut public costs, marking a potential turning point in the digitalization of European administration.
Source: france24