The state of Schleswig-Holstein in Germany has announced plans to transition tens of thousands of computer systems from Microsoft Windows to Linux as part of a larger initiative to move away from proprietary software in favor of open source alternatives. This decision comes after the state government confirmed its intention to migrate from Microsoft Office to LibreOffice earlier this year.
A pilot run of LibreOffice has been completed successfully, prompting officials to expand the transition to include more open source offerings. By 2026, an estimated 25,000 computers will be equipped with LibreOffice, with plans to eventually move all systems to the Linux operating system.
To facilitate this transition, the government is offering a training program for employees to familiarize themselves with the new software. However, there may be some specialized jobs that are unable to make the switch to open source alternatives.
In addition to moving away from Microsoft products like Sharepoint and Exchange/Outlook, Schleswig-Holstein is also developing its own open source directory service and telephony offering. The benefits of this switch include enhanced IT security, cost efficiencies, and improved collaboration among employees.
The move towards open source technology is part of a larger effort to achieve digital sovereignty and reduce dependence on cloud services. Money saved from licensing fees will be reinvested into local programming services and job creation.
While Schleswig-Holstein joins a growing number of government entities globally making the switch to Linux, some have experienced challenges. Munich’s migration to Linux in 2003, for example, was costly and ultimately led to user dissatisfaction, prompting a return to Windows in 2017. Despite these challenges, Schleswig-Holstein remains optimistic about the benefits of their transition to open source software.
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