- German state Schleswig-Holstein wants to eliminate all Microsoft traces, including Windows
- The transition began in 2023, and must be completed at the end of 2025
- The digitalization minister says: “We have finished teams”
Schleswig-Holstein, the northernmost state in Germany, has confirmed that it will eliminate Microsoft Office software tools (including equipment, Word, Excel and Outlook) in its public offices in an attempt to reduce their dependence on US technological giants.
The region is now looking for open source alternatives, with the tastes of LibreOffice, Open-XChange and Linux widely adopted.
To date, it is estimated that 30,000 public employees have already turned their backs on Microsoft products, with another 30,000 teachers who will follow their example.
German state pulls Microsoft software
The movement means that Schleswig-Holstein has become the first German state, and one of the first in Europe, to completely eliminate the elimination of Microsoft products in the public administration, however, marks a growing trend throughout the continent as administrations seek numerous antitrustic investments in the US in recent years.
It is expected that almost all government departments in the state, the transition began in 2023. A complete change for public officials, police and judges at the end of this year is expected.
Possibly one of the biggest changes that has occurred, the transition extends far beyond changing Microsoft’s office for Libreoffice.
Outlook must be replaced by Open-XChange, Microsoft teams will gradually be removed for an open source platform and even the entire operating system, Windows, will be changed for OSS based on Linux.
In addition to seeking geographical independence, the Schleswig-Holstein approach can also be seen as a reaction to geopolitical instability, such as the return of President Trump and subsequent tensions of the United EU-states.
When betting on the open source software (OSS), the German state could avoid costly license rates linked to Microsoft products (one of the relevant antitrust cases that has been directed by the European Commission), which could save tens of millions of euros in the long term.
According to reports, neighboring Danish cities, such as Copenhague and Aarhus, are also exploring Microsoft alternatives, however, such change could have a cost.
For example, the State runs the risk of finding possible interoperability problems through the adoption of solutions of a variety of suppliers, while workers may need complete training and support during the transition.
However, the desires to cut ties are evident. Speaking with AFP (through France24), Digitization Minister Dirk Schroedter concluded: “We have finished teams!”
“The geopolitical developments of recent months have strengthened interest in the path we have taken,” Schroedter added.
