The Nextcloud Podcast Open source and Nextcloud in government: Insights from Sven Thomsen, Schleswig-Holstein's CIO
12 snips
Oct 23, 2024 
Sven Thomsen is the CIO of Schleswig-Holstein, leading the charge in open source and digital sovereignty in government. He discusses the motivations behind adopting open source solutions, like cost pressures and enhancing local ecosystems. Sven shares insights on the pivotal role of Nextcloud as a collaboration hub and its integration of AI to streamline workflows, especially in meeting regulatory challenges. He emphasizes a strategy of small pilot projects for effective implementation, highlighting the value of community engagement and user feedback in this transformative journey.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
License Hike Sparked The Migration
- Schleswig-Holstein's open source shift began when vendors changed database licenses and costs rose sharply.
- The state decided it could replace those systems with open source and started with databases and application servers.
Digital Sovereignty Shapes Procurement
- Digital sovereignty drove policy: the state must control its IT production and know software bill of materials.
- This political push made open source and open standards a formal requirement in procurement.
Don’t Do It All In-House
- Build a service ecosystem; you cannot succeed by doing everything in-house.
- Rely on external providers to help implement open source transitions and focus on user needs.
