The government of Schleswig-Holstein, a part of Germany, has decided to switch many computer systems from Microsoft Windows to Linux. This is part of their plan to use more open-source software, like LibreOffice instead of Microsoft Office.
The government has completed a pilot run of LibreOffice and is now expanding its embrace of open-source solutions beyond just office software. They aim to migrate all systems to the Linux operating system, with the intent of fostering digitally sovereign IT workplaces for its approximately 30,000 employees. Minister-President Daniel Gunther highlighted the significance of this transition, emphasizing the shift towards free and open-source systems.
To facilitate this transition, the state government is offering a training program for its employees and is committed to updating it as necessary. However, they acknowledge that certain specialized tasks may still require proprietary software, but they remain committed to exploring open-source alternatives wherever feasible.
The decision to migrate to open-source software is motivated by several factors. Firstly, it is seen as a means to enhance IT security, reduce costs, and promote interoperability between different systems. Moreover, the government emphasizes the concept of digital sovereignty, likening it to energy sovereignty and highlighting concerns about data flow and control over cloud services.
Minister Dirk Schrödter underscores the potential economic benefits of this transition, suggesting that redirecting funds from licensing fees to domestic digital economy services could stimulate local job creation. Additionally, the flexibility offered by open-source solutions aligns with the government’s goals for digitalization.
Schleswig-Holstein’s initiative aligns with a broader global trend of government entities opting for open-source technology, driven by factors such as geopolitical considerations and cost efficiency. However, the history of such transitions is not without its challenges, as evidenced by past instances where government bodies reverted to proprietary software due to issues like high costs and user dissatisfaction.
The government of Schleswig-Holstein aims to mitigate such challenges by actively involving employees in the transition process and implementing long transition phases with parallel usage of open-source and proprietary software. This incremental approach is intended to build confidence in open-source solutions and pave the way for successful implementation across departments.
