Schleswig-Holstein’s Shift to Open Source Software: A Milestone Achieved
In 2021, the German state of Schleswig-Holstein embarked on an ambitious journey to reduce its dependency on proprietary software, particularly from Microsoft. The state made headlines with its decision to transition away from Windows operating systems and Office applications, opting instead for open-source alternatives like Linux and LibreOffice. Recently, this migration has marked a significant achievement that underscores its commitment to digital independence.
Successful Transition to Open-Source Solutions
According to The Register, Schleswig-Holstein has successfully transitioned from Microsoft Exchange Server and Outlook to Open-Xchange and Mozilla Thunderbird. This operation was no small task, entailing the migration of nearly 30, 000 mailboxes, along with over 100 million emails and calendar entries. Although the process was fraught with challenges, the state officials managed to navigate these hurdles effectively.
A New Era of Digital Sovereignty
Dirk Schrödter, the state’s Digitalization Minister, celebrated this achievement as a pivotal step toward attaining digital sovereignty. He stated (translated):
From the State Chancellery and the ministries, to the judiciary and state police, and to other state authorities – our approximately 30, 000 employees have embarked on a new path together. We want to become independent of large tech corporations and ensure digital sovereignty. Now we can also say: Mission accomplished when it comes to email communication.
Breaking Free from U. S.Tech Dependence
This remarkable transition is part of a broader initiative to lessen reliance on U. S.-based technology products, favoring solutions that are strictly under European control. In a parallel move, a French city has also announced its plans to shift from Windows to free open-source software (FOSS).It is worth noting that this is not the first significant migration; the German city of Munich previously made headlines in 2004 for implementing Linux but ultimately reverted back to Windows 10 by 2017 due to management difficulties.
Future Plans and Additional Migration Phases
The journey is not yet complete for Schleswig-Holstein. The next phase involves transitioning from SharePoint to Nextcloud and phasing out Microsoft Office in favor of LibreOffice. Additionally, Linux is still undergoing testing as a suitable alternative to Windows, with an overall migration deadline set for 2027.
The success of Schleswig-Holstein in this endeavor will be closely watched, as it could serve as a pivotal case for other regions considering similar paths. Will this ambitious migration prove sustainable and effective, or will it face obstacles like those encountered previously by Munich?
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