How open source is being accepted in Schleswig-Holstein

Schleswig-Holstein relies extensively on open source in its state administration. A representative survey now shows how the transformation is being received in day-to-day working life: 49 per cent view the changeover positively and 74 per cent have already got used to the new working environment.

OpenTalk is also part of this open-source strategy: following a successful pilot phase, Schleswig-Holstein decided in 2025 to roll out the open-source video conferencing solution across all state authorities. The current survey does not evaluate individual solutions separately, but it does provide important insights into the acceptance of the overarching transformation.

Open-source transformation met with high levels of acceptance

On behalf of Univention, Nextcloud, the Heinlein Group with OpenTalk and OpenCloud, and Open-Xchange, the research division of boy | Strategy and Communication investigated the open-source transformation within the Schleswig-Holstein state administration.

Around 2,700 employees took part in the survey. The focus was on acceptance of the transformation process and the factors contributing to the adoption of new systems in day-to-day work.

A key finding: 49 per cent of respondents view the transition positively. Those responsible for the study regard this as a comparatively high level of acceptance for an ongoing transformation.

Employees are also becoming increasingly accustomed to the new systems: 74 per cent of employees state that they have already got used to the new working environment. For around two-thirds, this process of adaptation began within the first three months. The results thus show that new applications and ways of working can become established in day-to-day administrative work within a relatively short period of time.

Presentation of the study results in Berlin

The results of the survey will be presented on 4 November 2026 at an event held at the Schleswig-Holstein State Representation to the Federal Government in Berlin. The event will contextualise the experiences from Schleswig-Holstein and discuss insights for further open-source projects in public administration.

Peer Heinlein, founder and CEO of the Heinlein Group, will also be on the panel ‘Sovereign Infrastructure, Strong Democracy’. From 6.30 pm to 7.15 pm, he will discuss the democratic dimension of digital sovereignty alongside Fabian Mehring, Bavarian Minister of State for Digital Affairs, and Lena-Sophie Müller, CEO of Initiative D21. The discussion will be moderated by Antonia Baskakov (Re).

The focus will be on questions such as: How can open IT infrastructures strengthen citizen-centredness, accessibility and digital participation? And why is technical independence also a matter of trust in the state?

Further information on the event and registration can be found on the Dataport event page.

Conclusion: Open source as part of a sovereign public administration

The findings paint a nuanced picture of the open-source transformation in Schleswig-Holstein. They show that many staff members have already become accustomed to the new applications and that a significant proportion view the transition positively. At the same time, it becomes clear just how important staff acceptance is for a successful digital transformation.

OpenTalk forms part of this sovereign digital infrastructure. The video conferencing solution is operated on-premises in the BSI-certified Twin Data Centre and enables the state to maintain control over communication channels, infrastructure and data.

This demonstrates, even in the field of digital communication, how open-source principles can be put into practice within public administration.