[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":9301},["ShallowReactive",2],{"navigation-docs_en":3,"blog-blog_en":51,"posts-posts_en":64},[4],{"title":5,"path":6,"stem":7,"children":8,"page":25},"En","/en","en",[9],{"title":10,"path":11,"stem":12,"children":13,"page":25},"Docs","/en/docs","en/1.docs",[14,26],{"title":15,"path":16,"stem":17,"children":18,"icon":25},"Getting Started","/en/docs/getting-started","en/1.docs/1.getting-started/1.index",[19,21],{"title":20,"path":16,"stem":17,"children":-1},"Introduction",{"title":22,"path":23,"stem":24,"children":-1},"Migration Roadmap","/en/docs/getting-started/migration-fahrplan","en/1.docs/1.getting-started/2.migration-fahrplan",false,{"title":27,"path":28,"stem":29,"children":30,"page":25},"Technologies","/en/docs/technologies","en/1.docs/2.technologies",[31,35,39,43,47],{"title":32,"path":33,"stem":34,"children":-1},"Nextcloud","/en/docs/technologies/nextcloud","en/1.docs/2.technologies/1.nextcloud",{"title":36,"path":37,"stem":38,"children":-1},"Matrix / Element","/en/docs/technologies/matrix","en/1.docs/2.technologies/2.matrix",{"title":40,"path":41,"stem":42,"children":-1},"ONLYOFFICE","/en/docs/technologies/onlyoffice","en/1.docs/2.technologies/3.onlyoffice",{"title":44,"path":45,"stem":46,"children":-1},"Ubuntu Linux","/en/docs/technologies/ubuntu","en/1.docs/2.technologies/4.ubuntu",{"title":48,"path":49,"stem":50,"children":-1},"Keycloak","/en/docs/technologies/keycloak","en/1.docs/2.technologies/5.keycloak",{"id":52,"title":53,"body":54,"description":55,"extension":56,"meta":57,"navigation":58,"path":60,"seo":61,"stem":62,"__hash__":63},"blog_en/en/3.blog.yml","Blog",null,"Discover the latest insights, tutorials, and updates from our team. Stay informed about web development trends, best practices, and innovative solutions.","yml",{},{"icon":59},"i-lucide-newspaper","/en/blog",{"title":53,"description":55},"en/3.blog","v83DNFP3JLBea59cQMPF13G3-N-_AgTOPcmGZUyBlqQ",[65,514,901,1261,1592,1881,2182,2525,2847,3193,3476,3789,4057,4370,4661,4917,5289,5581,5883,6206,6498,6750,7068,7373,7679,8039,8384,8668,8927],{"id":66,"title":67,"authors":68,"badge":74,"body":76,"date":476,"description":477,"extension":478,"faq":479,"howto":489,"image":506,"meta":508,"navigation":509,"path":510,"seo":511,"stem":512,"__hash__":513},"posts_en/en/3.blog/33.dma-azure-gatekeeper-november-2026-portability-exit-microsoft-365.md","Taking Your Data with You – Portability, the DMA and Open Formats",[69],{"name":70,"to":71,"avatar":72},"Michael Wolf","/en/about",{"src":73},"/michael.webp",{"label":75},"Guide",{"type":77,"value":78,"toc":464},"minimark",[79,83,92,97,104,108,157,160,164,186,190,197,289,292,296,323,332,336,339,421,424,428,434,440,446,450,457],[80,81,67],"h1",{"id":82},"taking-your-data-with-you-portability-the-dma-and-open-formats",[84,85,86,87,91],"p",{},"Imagine moving house and simply being able to take your furniture with you. That's how it should be with your data too: when you switch providers, your files, calendar and contacts just come along. That's exactly what ",[88,89,90],"strong",{},"data portability"," is about. The EU is strengthening this principle with several rules – and with open formats, you can do a lot yourself.",[93,94,96],"h2",{"id":95},"what-is-data-portability","What is data portability?",[84,98,99,100,103],{},"Data portability means you get your data in a common, machine-readable format and can take it to another service. For personal data, the ",[88,101,102],{},"GDPR"," has given everyone this right since 2018.",[93,105,107],{"id":106},"which-eu-rules-help","Which EU rules help?",[109,110,111,124],"table",{},[112,113,114],"thead",{},[115,116,117,121],"tr",{},[118,119,120],"th",{},"Rule",[118,122,123],{},"What it's about",[125,126,127,137,147],"tbody",{},[115,128,129,134],{},[130,131,132],"td",{},[88,133,102],{},[130,135,136],{},"Right to data portability for personal data",[115,138,139,144],{},[130,140,141],{},[88,142,143],{},"Data Act",[130,145,146],{},"Makes switching between cloud providers easier; switching charges are being phased out",[115,148,149,154],{},[130,150,151],{},[88,152,153],{},"Digital Markets Act (DMA)",[130,155,156],{},"Obligations for very large platforms, including on interoperability and portability",[84,158,159],{},"With the DMA, the European Commission is also looking into whether and how large cloud services fall within its scope. How that turns out remains to be seen. But the direction is clear: data should become easier to move.",[93,161,163],{"id":162},"a-few-terms-briefly-explained","A few terms, briefly explained",[165,166,167,174,180],"ul",{},[168,169,170,173],"li",{},[88,171,172],{},"Gatekeeper:"," The DMA's term for very large platforms with major market significance.",[168,175,176,179],{},[88,177,178],{},"Interoperability:"," Different programs and services can work together.",[168,181,182,185],{},[88,183,184],{},"Open formats:"," File formats whose structure is publicly documented, so many programs can read them.",[93,187,189],{"id":188},"what-you-can-do-yourself","What you can do yourself",[84,191,192,193,196],{},"Rules help, but you get the most freedom with ",[88,194,195],{},"open formats and standards",". A few examples:",[109,198,199,212],{},[112,200,201],{},[115,202,203,206,209],{},[118,204,205],{},"Area",[118,207,208],{},"Open standard",[118,210,211],{},"Typical open-source solution",[125,213,214,224,235,245,256,267,278],{},[115,215,216,219,222],{},[130,217,218],{},"Files",[130,220,221],{},"WebDAV",[130,223,32],{},[115,225,226,229,232],{},[130,227,228],{},"Calendar",[130,230,231],{},"CalDAV",[130,233,234],{},"Nextcloud, Thunderbird",[115,236,237,240,243],{},[130,238,239],{},"Contacts",[130,241,242],{},"CardDAV",[130,244,234],{},[115,246,247,250,253],{},[130,248,249],{},"Email",[130,251,252],{},"IMAP",[130,254,255],{},"any good mail server",[115,257,258,261,264],{},[130,259,260],{},"Documents",[130,262,263],{},"ODF, but also DOCX/XLSX",[130,265,266],{},"LibreOffice, Collabora, ONLYOFFICE",[115,268,269,272,275],{},[130,270,271],{},"Chat",[130,273,274],{},"Matrix",[130,276,277],{},"Element",[115,279,280,283,286],{},[130,281,282],{},"Passwords",[130,284,285],{},"Export as CSV or JSON",[130,287,288],{},"Vaultwarden",[84,290,291],{},"With these standards, you can swap not only providers but also individual programs – without a big moving mess.",[93,293,295],{"id":294},"a-small-portability-check","A small portability check",[297,298,299,305,311,317],"ol",{},[168,300,301,304],{},[88,302,303],{},"Find export functions:"," Where can you download your data for each service?",[168,306,307,310],{},[88,308,309],{},"Try it once:"," Do a complete export and take a look.",[168,312,313,316],{},[88,314,315],{},"Choose open formats:"," Use open standards wherever possible.",[168,318,319,322],{},[88,320,321],{},"Repeat regularly:"," Once a year, ideally together with your backup check.",[84,324,325,326,331],{},"You'll find an overview of open alternatives under ",[327,328,330],"a",{"href":329},"/en/alternativen","Alternatives",".",[93,333,335],{"id":334},"an-everyday-example","An everyday example",[84,337,338],{},"A small online retailer has been using various cloud services for years. He runs the portability check and finds:",[109,340,341,357],{},[112,342,343],{},[115,344,345,348,351,354],{},[118,346,347],{},"Service",[118,349,350],{},"Export possible?",[118,352,353],{},"Format",[118,355,356],{},"Rating",[125,358,359,373,385,396,407],{},[115,360,361,364,367,370],{},[130,362,363],{},"File storage",[130,365,366],{},"yes",[130,368,369],{},"normal files",[130,371,372],{},"very good",[115,374,375,377,379,382],{},[130,376,228],{},[130,378,366],{},[130,380,381],{},"ICS",[130,383,384],{},"good",[115,386,387,389,391,394],{},[130,388,239],{},[130,390,366],{},[130,392,393],{},"vCard",[130,395,384],{},[115,397,398,400,402,405],{},[130,399,249],{},[130,401,366],{},[130,403,404],{},"via IMAP",[130,406,384],{},[115,408,409,412,415,418],{},[130,410,411],{},"Notes app",[130,413,414],{},"one by one only",[130,416,417],{},"proprietary format",[130,419,420],{},"cumbersome",[84,422,423],{},"Almost everything can be taken along easily. Only the notes app makes it hard. So the retailer moves his notes to Nextcloud Notes, where they're stored as simple text files. That makes this area easily portable in future too.",[93,425,427],{"id":426},"frequently-asked-questions","Frequently asked questions",[84,429,430,433],{},[88,431,432],{},"Can I demand an export from any provider?","\nFor personal data, the GDPR gives you a right to data portability. Beyond that, most services offer export functions. If needed, clarify what exactly applies in your case with a legal adviser.",[84,435,436,439],{},[88,437,438],{},"What do I do with exported data?","\nKeep it encrypted, for example together with your backups. That way you always have an independent copy.",[84,441,442,445],{},[88,443,444],{},"Are open formats worse than proprietary ones?","\nNo. Open formats like ODF, ICS or vCard are mature and supported by a great many programs.",[93,447,449],{"id":448},"conclusion","Conclusion",[84,451,452,453,331],{},"Step by step, the EU is making it easier to take your data with you. But you have the most freedom if you rely on open formats and open-source software from the start. Then moving isn't a project – it's almost routine. If you'd like support, have a look at ",[327,454,456],{"href":455},"/en/consulting","Consulting",[84,458,459,460,331],{},"If you'd like to give it a try, I'm happy to help – ",[327,461,463],{"href":462},"/en/contact","just drop me a line",{"title":465,"searchDepth":466,"depth":466,"links":467},"",2,[468,469,470,471,472,473,474,475],{"id":95,"depth":466,"text":96},{"id":106,"depth":466,"text":107},{"id":162,"depth":466,"text":163},{"id":188,"depth":466,"text":189},{"id":294,"depth":466,"text":295},{"id":334,"depth":466,"text":335},{"id":426,"depth":466,"text":427},{"id":448,"depth":466,"text":449},"2026-10-13T00:00:00.000Z","With the DMA and the Data Act, the EU is strengthening the right to take your data along. What data portability means and how open formats keep you flexible.","md",[480,483,486],{"q":481,"a":482},"What does data portability mean?","Data portability means you get your data in a common format and can take it to another provider. The GDPR gives people this right for their personal data, and other EU rules strengthen it for businesses.",{"q":484,"a":485},"What is the Digital Markets Act (DMA)?","The DMA is an EU regulation for very large digital platforms, known as gatekeepers. Among other things, it contains rules on fair competition, interoperability and data portability. The European Commission is also looking into whether and how cloud services fall under it.",{"q":487,"a":488},"How do I stay independent of individual providers?","The easiest way is with open formats and open standards. Then files, calendars, contacts and emails can be moved to another service at any time.",{"name":490,"description":491,"totalTime":492,"steps":493},"Keeping your data portable","Four steps to stay flexible at all times.","P2W",[494,497,500,503],{"name":495,"text":496},"Find export functions","For each important service, check where there's an export or download function.",{"name":498,"text":499},"Do a trial export","Export everything once and check that the data is complete and readable.",{"name":501,"text":502},"Prefer open formats","Where possible, use open formats and standards like ODF, CalDAV, CardDAV or IMAP.",{"name":504,"text":505},"Repeat regularly","Repeat the export once a year as part of your backup routine.",{"src":507},"/img/blog/photo-1546436836-07a91091f160.webp",{},true,"/en/blog/dma-azure-gatekeeper-november-2026-portability-exit-microsoft-365",{"title":67,"description":477},"en/3.blog/33.dma-azure-gatekeeper-november-2026-portability-exit-microsoft-365","CJ9WlmzR-soT5kBFhWrXnUy5bdy9D80HeL1h0v1CRh0",{"id":515,"title":516,"authors":517,"badge":520,"body":522,"date":862,"description":863,"extension":478,"faq":864,"howto":874,"image":894,"meta":896,"navigation":509,"path":897,"seo":898,"stem":899,"__hash__":900},"posts_en/en/3.blog/32.kbv-it-security-guideline-390-sgb-v-medical-practices-microsoft-365-october-2026.md","The KBV IT Security Guideline – Simply Explained for Your Practice",[518],{"name":70,"to":71,"avatar":519},{"src":73},{"label":521},"Practical Tip",{"type":77,"value":523,"toc":851},[524,527,538,542,545,599,602,606,609,653,657,660,717,720,724,756,759,761,787,791,794,811,814,816,822,828,832,842,844,847],[80,525,516],{"id":526},"the-kbv-it-security-guideline-simply-explained-for-your-practice",[84,528,529,530,533,534,537],{},"In medical, dental and psychotherapy practices, very personal data is handled every day. To keep it well protected, Germany has the ",[88,531,532],{},"IT security guideline"," of the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KBV) under ",[88,535,536],{},"§ 390 SGB V",". For dental practices, there's a corresponding guideline from the KZBV. It sounds like a lot of paperwork at first – but it's very doable. Here's a friendly overview.",[93,539,541],{"id":540},"what-is-the-guideline-about","What is the guideline about?",[84,543,544],{},"The guideline describes minimum requirements for IT security in practices. It's divided into annexes based on practice size and special situations. Roughly, it distinguishes:",[109,546,547,557],{},[112,548,549],{},[115,550,551,554],{},[118,552,553],{},"Category",[118,555,556],{},"In short",[125,558,559,569,579,589],{},[115,560,561,566],{},[130,562,563],{},[88,564,565],{},"Practice",[130,567,568],{},"Smaller practices with few staff",[115,570,571,576],{},[130,572,573],{},[88,574,575],{},"Medium practice",[130,577,578],{},"Somewhat larger teams",[115,580,581,586],{},[130,582,583],{},[88,584,585],{},"Large practice",[130,587,588],{},"Practices with many staff or extensive data processing",[115,590,591,596],{},[130,592,593],{},[88,594,595],{},"Additional annexes",[130,597,598],{},"e.g. for large medical devices or decentralised components of the telematics infrastructure",[84,600,601],{},"You'll find the exact thresholds and requirements directly in the guideline on the KBV website.",[93,603,605],{"id":604},"typical-requirements","Typical requirements",[84,607,608],{},"Many requirements are common sense and quick to implement:",[165,610,611,617,623,629,635,641,647],{},[168,612,613,616],{},[88,614,615],{},"Updates"," for operating systems and programs installed promptly",[168,618,619,622],{},[88,620,621],{},"Antivirus"," on all computers",[168,624,625,628],{},[88,626,627],{},"Secure passwords"," and, where possible, two-factor login",[168,630,631,634],{},[88,632,633],{},"Protect the network",", for example with a well-configured firewall",[168,636,637,640],{},[88,638,639],{},"Backups"," made regularly, with restoring tested",[168,642,643,646],{},[88,644,645],{},"Apps and online services"," chosen consciously",[168,648,649,652],{},[88,650,651],{},"Devices disposed of securely",", so no data is left behind",[93,654,656],{"id":655},"how-open-source-helps-in-a-practice","How open source helps in a practice",[84,658,659],{},"Your practice management system stays as it is, of course. But open source can be a nice solution for much of what goes on around it:",[109,661,662,675],{},[112,663,664],{},[115,665,666,669,672],{},[118,667,668],{},"Task",[118,670,671],{},"Open-source solution",[118,673,674],{},"Benefit",[125,676,677,687,698,707],{},[115,678,679,682,684],{},[130,680,681],{},"Documents and file storage",[130,683,32],{},[130,685,686],{},"Data on a server you know",[115,688,689,692,695],{},[130,690,691],{},"Internal communication",[130,693,694],{},"Element (Matrix)",[130,696,697],{},"Encrypted, on your own server",[115,699,700,702,704],{},[130,701,282],{},[130,703,288],{},[130,705,706],{},"Secure passwords for the whole team",[115,708,709,711,714],{},[130,710,639],{},[130,712,713],{},"e.g. Restic or BorgBackup",[130,715,716],{},"Encrypted and automated",[84,718,719],{},"Especially with health data, it feels good to know where everything is – for example on a small server in the practice or in a German data centre.",[93,721,723],{"id":722},"a-relaxed-roadmap","A relaxed roadmap",[297,725,726,732,738,744,750],{},[168,727,728,731],{},[88,729,730],{},"Determine your category:"," Which annexes apply to your practice?",[168,733,734,737],{},[88,735,736],{},"Make a list:"," Devices, programs, services.",[168,739,740,743],{},[88,741,742],{},"Implement the basics:"," Updates, antivirus, passwords, backups.",[168,745,746,749],{},[88,747,748],{},"Bring the team along:"," A short session on suspicious emails works wonders.",[168,751,752,755],{},[88,753,754],{},"Document:"," A short overview of what's been implemented.",[84,757,758],{},"You can get help with implementation. The KBV also refers to certified service providers in this context. What exactly applies to your practice is best clarified with your regional physicians' association.",[93,760,163],{"id":162},[165,762,763,769,775,781],{},[168,764,765,768],{},[88,766,767],{},"SGB V:"," Book Five of the German Social Code, which governs statutory health insurance.",[168,770,771,774],{},[88,772,773],{},"Telematics infrastructure (TI):"," The secure network of German healthcare, for example for e-prescriptions and electronic patient records.",[168,776,777,780],{},[88,778,779],{},"Connector:"," The device that links the practice to the telematics infrastructure.",[168,782,783,786],{},[88,784,785],{},"Firewall:"," Protection that controls which connections into and out of the network are allowed.",[93,788,790],{"id":789},"an-example-from-a-psychotherapy-practice","An example from a psychotherapy practice",[84,792,793],{},"A psychotherapist works alone with a part-time administrator. She calmly goes through the requirements for small practices and finds that a lot is already in place. She takes on a few points:",[297,795,796,799,802,805,808],{},[168,797,798],{},"Turn on automatic updates for the computer and phone.",[168,800,801],{},"Introduce a password manager and store all logins there.",[168,803,804],{},"Set up regular, encrypted backups to a second drive.",[168,806,807],{},"Separate the patient Wi-Fi from the practice network.",[168,809,810],{},"Create a short overview of what's been implemented.",[84,812,813],{},"After two afternoons, everything is done. Once a year she goes through the list again.",[93,815,427],{"id":426},[84,817,818,821],{},[88,819,820],{},"Do I need to know the guideline by heart?","\nNo. It's enough to go through the requirements that apply to your practice once and document what you've implemented.",[84,823,824,827],{},[88,825,826],{},"Do I need expensive specialist software?","\nFor many requirements, no. Built-in operating system tools and proven open-source tools cover a large part.",[93,829,831],{"id":830},"note","Note",[84,833,834,835,837,838,331],{},"I'm an IT service provider and external information security officer, but not a legal adviser. I'm happy to help with the practical side – more under ",[327,836,456],{"href":455}," and ",[327,839,841],{"href":840},"/en/support","Support",[93,843,449],{"id":448},[84,845,846],{},"The IT security guideline sounds bigger than it is. With a good list, a few solid basics and tools where you know where your data is, your practice is in good shape.",[84,848,459,849,331],{},[327,850,463],{"href":462},{"title":465,"searchDepth":466,"depth":466,"links":852},[853,854,855,856,857,858,859,860,861],{"id":540,"depth":466,"text":541},{"id":604,"depth":466,"text":605},{"id":655,"depth":466,"text":656},{"id":722,"depth":466,"text":723},{"id":162,"depth":466,"text":163},{"id":789,"depth":466,"text":790},{"id":426,"depth":466,"text":427},{"id":830,"depth":466,"text":831},{"id":448,"depth":466,"text":449},"2026-10-06T00:00:00.000Z","What the IT security guideline under § 390 SGB V means for medical, dental and psychotherapy practices in Germany and how to implement it step by step.",[865,868,871],{"q":866,"a":867},"What is the KBV IT security guideline?","Under § 390 of the German Social Code Book V, the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KBV) sets out in a guideline which IT security requirements apply to practices. For dental practices, there's a corresponding guideline from the KZBV.",{"q":869,"a":870},"Does the guideline apply equally to every practice?","No. The guideline differentiates by practice size and special situations, for example when large medical devices are used. The bigger the practice, the more requirements apply.",{"q":872,"a":873},"Can I use cloud services in my practice?","The guideline doesn't generally prohibit cloud services, but it sets requirements for handling data and applications securely. With health data, it's especially worth knowing exactly where it's stored. If in doubt, your regional physicians' association or a data protection adviser can help.",{"name":875,"description":876,"totalTime":877,"steps":878},"Implementing the KBV guideline in your practice","Five steps to organise IT security in your practice in a relaxed way.","P4W",[879,882,885,888,891],{"name":880,"text":881},"Determine practice size","Check in the guideline which category applies to your practice and pick out the relevant requirements.",{"name":883,"text":884},"Take stock","List all computers, phones, printers, routers, programs and online services in the practice.",{"name":886,"text":887},"Implement the basics","Set up updates, antivirus, secure passwords, protected networks and regular backups.",{"name":889,"text":890},"Involve the team","Give the team a short session on secure passwords and suspicious emails.",{"name":892,"text":893},"Document","Briefly record the measures you've implemented and review them once a year.",{"src":895},"/img/blog/photo-1538108149393-fbbd81895907.webp",{},"/en/blog/kbv-it-security-guideline-390-sgb-v-medical-practices-microsoft-365-october-2026",{"title":516,"description":863},"en/3.blog/32.kbv-it-security-guideline-390-sgb-v-medical-practices-microsoft-365-october-2026","5IEXzEG799IGg2aY2Rg3BjT-ria3vDS9k4Ki6_VVTGM",{"id":902,"title":903,"authors":904,"badge":907,"body":909,"date":1225,"description":1226,"extension":478,"faq":1227,"howto":1237,"image":1254,"meta":1256,"navigation":509,"path":1257,"seo":1258,"stem":1259,"__hash__":1260},"posts_en/en/3.blog/31.opendesk-municipal-mainstream-neuburg-oberkirch-swiss-federal-chancellery-2026.md","openDesk in Municipalities – How Towns Use Open Source Day to Day",[905],{"name":70,"to":71,"avatar":906},{"src":73},{"label":908},"News",{"type":77,"value":910,"toc":1215},[911,914,921,925,928,993,999,1003,1029,1033,1039,1065,1068,1072,1075,1101,1111,1113,1139,1143,1146,1199,1203,1206,1208,1211],[80,912,903],{"id":913},"opendesk-in-municipalities-how-towns-use-open-source-day-to-day",[84,915,916,917,920],{},"Towns and municipalities work with emails, appointments, documents and video calls every day – much like an office, just often on a bigger scale. More and more municipalities in Germany and in Switzerland are looking at ",[88,918,919],{},"openDesk"," and other open-source solutions for this. Some are testing, others have already switched. It's a nice development that small organisations can learn a lot from.",[93,922,924],{"id":923},"what-opendesk-is","What openDesk is",[84,926,927],{},"openDesk is an office suite that combines proven open-source programs into one shared workplace:",[109,929,930,939],{},[112,931,932],{},[115,933,934,936],{},[118,935,205],{},[118,937,938],{},"Building block",[125,940,941,947,955,963,969,977,985],{},[115,942,943,945],{},[130,944,218],{},[130,946,32],{},[115,948,949,952],{},[130,950,951],{},"Email and calendar",[130,953,954],{},"Open-Xchange",[115,956,957,960],{},[130,958,959],{},"Office in the browser",[130,961,962],{},"Collabora Online",[115,964,965,967],{},[130,966,271],{},[130,968,694],{},[115,970,971,974],{},[130,972,973],{},"Video conferencing",[130,975,976],{},"Jitsi",[115,978,979,982],{},[130,980,981],{},"Projects",[130,983,984],{},"OpenProject",[115,986,987,990],{},[130,988,989],{},"Wiki",[130,991,992],{},"XWiki",[84,994,995,996,331],{},"It's maintained by the German ",[88,997,998],{},"Centre for Digital Sovereignty of Public Administration (ZenDiS)",[93,1000,1002],{"id":1001},"why-municipalities-are-interested","Why municipalities are interested",[165,1004,1005,1011,1017,1023],{},[168,1006,1007,1010],{},[88,1008,1009],{},"Open standards:"," Data is easy to exchange and take along.",[168,1012,1013,1016],{},[88,1014,1015],{},"Free choice of operation:"," In their own data centre, with a municipal IT provider or with a commercial provider.",[168,1018,1019,1022],{},[88,1020,1021],{},"Better together:"," Experience and improvements can be shared with other administrations.",[168,1024,1025,1028],{},[88,1026,1027],{},"Predictable costs:"," No per-seat licensing model.",[93,1030,1032],{"id":1031},"how-municipalities-go-about-it","How municipalities go about it",[84,1034,1035,1036,331],{},"What you can learn from many reports: successful switches almost always happen ",[88,1037,1038],{},"step by step",[297,1040,1041,1047,1053,1059],{},[168,1042,1043,1046],{},[88,1044,1045],{},"Trial phase:"," A small group tries out the new environment.",[168,1048,1049,1052],{},[88,1050,1051],{},"One area first:"," For example email or file storage.",[168,1054,1055,1058],{},[88,1056,1057],{},"Support:"," Short training sessions and contacts for questions.",[168,1060,1061,1064],{},[88,1062,1063],{},"Expand:"," Only when things are going well are more areas added.",[84,1066,1067],{},"Very important: bring people along. A new program is quickly installed – but getting used to new habits takes time.",[93,1069,1071],{"id":1070},"what-you-can-take-away","What you can take away",[84,1073,1074],{},"Whether club, law firm, practice or small business – the municipalities' approach works on a small scale too:",[165,1076,1077,1083,1089,1095],{},[168,1078,1079,1082],{},[88,1080,1081],{},"Not everything at once:"," Start with one area.",[168,1084,1085,1088],{},[88,1086,1087],{},"Test in parallel:"," Try first, then switch.",[168,1090,1091,1094],{},[88,1092,1093],{},"Learn together:"," A short introduction makes a lot easier.",[168,1096,1097,1100],{},[88,1098,1099],{},"Building blocks as needed:"," You don't need the whole suite – often Nextcloud, Element and an office program are enough.",[84,1102,1103,1104,1106,1107,331],{},"You'll find an overview of suitable tools under ",[327,1105,330],{"href":329},", and I offer an introduction for your team as a ",[327,1108,1110],{"href":1109},"/en/training","workshop",[93,1112,163],{"id":162},[165,1114,1115,1121,1127,1133],{},[168,1116,1117,1120],{},[88,1118,1119],{},"Municipal IT provider:"," A data centre that runs IT services for several towns and municipalities.",[168,1122,1123,1126],{},[88,1124,1125],{},"Pilot phase:"," A trial with a small group before something is rolled out widely.",[168,1128,1129,1132],{},[88,1130,1131],{},"Groupware:"," Software for team email, calendars and contacts.",[168,1134,1135,1138],{},[88,1136,1137],{},"Reuse:"," When a solution one administration has developed or introduced can be adopted by others.",[93,1140,1142],{"id":1141},"what-good-switches-have-in-common","What good switches have in common",[84,1144,1145],{},"Many experience reports show a few patterns that apply on large and small scales alike:",[109,1147,1148,1158],{},[112,1149,1150],{},[115,1151,1152,1155],{},[118,1153,1154],{},"Success factor",[118,1156,1157],{},"What it means in practice",[125,1159,1160,1168,1176,1184,1191],{},[115,1161,1162,1165],{},[130,1163,1164],{},"Clear goal",[130,1166,1167],{},"Everyone knows why things are changing and what should improve",[115,1169,1170,1173],{},[130,1171,1172],{},"Small steps",[130,1174,1175],{},"One area after another instead of everything at once",[115,1177,1178,1181],{},[130,1179,1180],{},"Good preparation",[130,1182,1183],{},"Data, templates and accounts are ready before the start",[115,1185,1186,1188],{},[130,1187,841],{},[130,1189,1190],{},"Contacts and short training sessions",[115,1192,1193,1196],{},[130,1194,1195],{},"Patience",[130,1197,1198],{},"A settling-in period of a few weeks is normal",[93,1200,1202],{"id":1201},"an-example-from-a-small-office","An example from a small office",[84,1204,1205],{},"A planning office with eight people takes the municipalities' path as a model. It starts with shared file storage in Nextcloud. After four weeks, calendars and contacts follow, and after another four weeks a Matrix chat. Each stage starts with a short introduction in the team meeting. After three months, everyone works with the new tools as a matter of course – no big bang, but noticeably more clarity.",[93,1207,449],{"id":448},[84,1209,1210],{},"The fact that more and more municipalities are trying openDesk and open source shows: open software is ready for everyday use. And the step-by-step path they take is a good blueprint for you too.",[84,1212,459,1213,331],{},[327,1214,463],{"href":462},{"title":465,"searchDepth":466,"depth":466,"links":1216},[1217,1218,1219,1220,1221,1222,1223,1224],{"id":923,"depth":466,"text":924},{"id":1001,"depth":466,"text":1002},{"id":1031,"depth":466,"text":1032},{"id":1070,"depth":466,"text":1071},{"id":162,"depth":466,"text":163},{"id":1141,"depth":466,"text":1142},{"id":1201,"depth":466,"text":1202},{"id":448,"depth":466,"text":449},"2026-09-29T00:00:00.000Z","More and more municipalities in Germany and Switzerland are trying openDesk and other open-source solutions. What that shows and what you can learn.",[1228,1231,1234],{"q":1229,"a":1230},"What is openDesk?","openDesk is an office suite made of proven open-source programs like Nextcloud, Open-Xchange, Element, Jitsi, OpenProject and XWiki. It's maintained by the German Centre for Digital Sovereignty of Public Administration (ZenDiS).",{"q":1232,"a":1233},"Why are municipalities interested in openDesk?","Municipalities particularly value the open standards, the choice of data centre and the ability to share experience and improvements with other administrations.",{"q":1235,"a":1236},"How do municipalities typically go about switching?","Usually step by step: first a trial phase with a small group, then individual areas like email or file storage, and finally broader use.",{"name":1238,"description":1239,"totalTime":1240,"steps":1241},"Switching the way municipalities do","The step-by-step path many administrations take, applied to small organisations.","P12W",[1242,1245,1248,1251],{"name":1243,"text":1244},"Test with a small group","A few people use the new solution in parallel for a few weeks.",{"name":1246,"text":1247},"Switch one area","Move one clearly defined area first, for example email or file storage.",{"name":1249,"text":1250},"Gather experience","Collect feedback and adjust processes.",{"name":1252,"text":1253},"Expand","Gradually add more areas and people.",{"src":1255},"/img/blog/photo-1467269204594-9661b134dd2b.webp",{},"/en/blog/opendesk-municipal-mainstream-neuburg-oberkirch-swiss-federal-chancellery-2026",{"title":903,"description":1226},"en/3.blog/31.opendesk-municipal-mainstream-neuburg-oberkirch-swiss-federal-chancellery-2026","eE_nFlWCfjr9S3rvG1rJ3JX8lRt8bMYeKnCnANueB1U",{"id":1262,"title":1263,"authors":1264,"badge":1267,"body":1268,"date":1557,"description":1558,"extension":478,"faq":1559,"howto":1569,"image":1585,"meta":1587,"navigation":509,"path":1588,"seo":1589,"stem":1590,"__hash__":1591},"posts_en/en/3.blog/30.wire-bund-signal-bundestag-vs-nfd-messenger-sovereign-2026.md","Signal, Wire, Threema or Element? Secure Messengers Compared",[1265],{"name":70,"to":71,"avatar":1266},{"src":73},{"label":75},{"type":77,"value":1269,"toc":1542},[1270,1273,1276,1280,1285,1288,1292,1295,1299,1306,1309,1315,1319,1437,1441,1461,1463,1483,1487,1519,1523,1526,1528,1538],[80,1271,1263],{"id":1272},"signal-wire-threema-or-element-secure-messengers-compared",[84,1274,1275],{},"Secure communication matters to many people – in families, clubs, small businesses and especially in law firms and practices. Public administrations and institutions are increasingly using encrypted messengers too. The good news: there are several excellent options. Here are four of them.",[93,1277,1279],{"id":1278},"the-four-candidates","The four candidates",[1281,1282,1284],"h3",{"id":1283},"signal","Signal",[84,1286,1287],{},"Signal is a non-profit project and very popular with private users. Its encryption is considered the gold standard and is used by other messengers too. You need a phone number to sign up, but you can hide it behind a username.",[1281,1289,1291],{"id":1290},"wire","Wire",[84,1293,1294],{},"Wire is a European messenger focused on businesses and organisations. It offers admin features for teams, guest access and video conferencing. There's a specially vetted version for public institutions.",[1281,1296,1298],{"id":1297},"threema","Threema",[84,1300,1301,1302,1305],{},"Threema comes from Switzerland. You can use it without a phone number or email address. ",[88,1303,1304],{},"Threema Work"," is a version for organisations with central administration.",[1281,1307,694],{"id":1308},"element-matrix",[84,1310,1311,1312,1314],{},"Element is built on the open ",[88,1313,274],{}," standard. Every organisation can run its own server, and all servers can talk to each other – similar to email. Element is used, among others, by the German armed forces, German healthcare and the French public administration.",[93,1316,1318],{"id":1317},"compared","Compared",[109,1320,1321,1335],{},[112,1322,1323],{},[115,1324,1325,1327,1329,1331,1333],{},[118,1326],{},[118,1328,1284],{},[118,1330,1291],{},[118,1332,1298],{},[118,1334,694],{},[125,1336,1337,1351,1365,1379,1394,1408,1422],{},[115,1338,1339,1342,1345,1347,1349],{},[130,1340,1341],{},"End-to-end encrypted",[130,1343,1344],{},"✅",[130,1346,1344],{},[130,1348,1344],{},[130,1350,1344],{},[115,1352,1353,1356,1358,1360,1363],{},[130,1354,1355],{},"Open source",[130,1357,1344],{},[130,1359,1344],{},[130,1361,1362],{},"✅ (apps)",[130,1364,1344],{},[115,1366,1367,1370,1373,1375,1377],{},[130,1368,1369],{},"Without phone number",[130,1371,1372],{},"–",[130,1374,1344],{},[130,1376,1344],{},[130,1378,1344],{},[115,1380,1381,1384,1386,1389,1391],{},[130,1382,1383],{},"Your own server",[130,1385,1372],{},[130,1387,1388],{},"for organisations",[130,1390,1388],{},[130,1392,1393],{},"✅ easily possible",[115,1395,1396,1399,1401,1403,1406],{},[130,1397,1398],{},"Team administration",[130,1400,1372],{},[130,1402,1344],{},[130,1404,1405],{},"✅ (Work)",[130,1407,1344],{},[115,1409,1410,1413,1415,1418,1420],{},[130,1411,1412],{},"Federation with other servers",[130,1414,1372],{},[130,1416,1417],{},"limited",[130,1419,1372],{},[130,1421,1344],{},[115,1423,1424,1427,1430,1432,1435],{},[130,1425,1426],{},"Cost for private users",[130,1428,1429],{},"free",[130,1431,1429],{},[130,1433,1434],{},"one-off",[130,1436,1429],{},[93,1438,1440],{"id":1439},"which-suits-whom","Which suits whom?",[165,1442,1443,1449,1455],{},[168,1444,1445,1448],{},[88,1446,1447],{},"Family and friends:"," Signal is simple and widely used. Threema if you'd rather not give a phone number.",[168,1450,1451,1454],{},[88,1452,1453],{},"Club or small team:"," Element on your own server, Wire or Threema Work – depending on how much administration you need.",[168,1456,1457,1460],{},[88,1458,1459],{},"Law firm or practice:"," A solution with central administration. Element on your own server has the advantage that all data lives in a place you know.",[93,1462,163],{"id":162},[165,1464,1465,1471,1477],{},[168,1466,1467,1470],{},[88,1468,1469],{},"End-to-end encryption:"," Only the sender and recipient can read the message – not even the provider.",[168,1472,1473,1476],{},[88,1474,1475],{},"Federation:"," Different servers can communicate with each other.",[168,1478,1479,1482],{},[88,1480,1481],{},"Metadata:"," Information about who communicates with whom and when – this should also be handled as sparingly as possible.",[93,1484,1486],{"id":1485},"tips-for-switching-as-a-team","Tips for switching as a team",[165,1488,1489,1495,1501,1507,1513],{},[168,1490,1491,1494],{},[88,1492,1493],{},"Set a date:"," From a certain day, team communication runs through the new messenger.",[168,1496,1497,1500],{},[88,1498,1499],{},"Set up groups cleanly:"," A few clear groups are better than lots of small ones.",[168,1502,1503,1506],{},[88,1504,1505],{},"Short introduction:"," Ten minutes in a team meeting is often enough.",[168,1508,1509,1512],{},[88,1510,1511],{},"Secure recovery:"," Every messenger has ways to move messages to a new device. The associated keys or PINs belong in the password manager.",[168,1514,1515,1518],{},[88,1516,1517],{},"Separate private and work communication:"," A dedicated messenger for work means more peace in the evening.",[93,1520,1522],{"id":1521},"an-example-from-a-club","An example from a club",[84,1524,1525],{},"A sports club with 150 members has so far organised itself through lots of different chat groups. The committee decides on its own Matrix server. There's a space for the club with rooms for the committee, the coaches and the individual teams. New members get an invitation link. Because Matrix is federated, members who already have an account on another Matrix server can join too.",[93,1527,449],{"id":448},[84,1529,1530,1531,1533,1534,331],{},"Signal, Wire, Threema and Element are all really good, secure messengers. Which one fits best depends on your everyday life. If you'd like to equip your team with its own Matrix server, my ",[88,1532,271],{}," might be for you – more under ",[327,1535,1537],{"href":1536},"/en/pricing","Pricing",[84,1539,459,1540,331],{},[327,1541,463],{"href":462},{"title":465,"searchDepth":466,"depth":466,"links":1543},[1544,1551,1552,1553,1554,1555,1556],{"id":1278,"depth":466,"text":1279,"children":1545},[1546,1548,1549,1550],{"id":1283,"depth":1547,"text":1284},3,{"id":1290,"depth":1547,"text":1291},{"id":1297,"depth":1547,"text":1298},{"id":1308,"depth":1547,"text":694},{"id":1317,"depth":466,"text":1318},{"id":1439,"depth":466,"text":1440},{"id":162,"depth":466,"text":163},{"id":1485,"depth":466,"text":1486},{"id":1521,"depth":466,"text":1522},{"id":448,"depth":466,"text":449},"2026-09-22T00:00:00.000Z","Four secure messengers in a friendly comparison – what they can do, how they differ and which one suits your team.",[1560,1563,1566],{"q":1561,"a":1562},"Which messenger is the most secure?","All four messengers presented here use end-to-end encryption and are considered secure. The differences lie more in questions like phone numbers, running your own server, organisation features and cost.",{"q":1564,"a":1565},"Can I run a messenger on my own server?","With Element (Matrix), that's easy and actually how it's meant to work. Wire and Threema offer versions for organisations. Signal is designed to run on the project's own infrastructure.",{"q":1567,"a":1568},"Which messenger is suitable for a law firm or practice?","For internal communication in organisations, solutions with admin features are handy, such as Element on your own server, Wire or Threema Work. Which fits best depends on your requirements.",{"name":1570,"description":1571,"totalTime":492,"steps":1572},"Finding the right messenger for your team","Four steps to a relaxed choice of secure messenger.",[1573,1576,1579,1582],{"name":1574,"text":1575},"Collect requirements","Write down what matters, such as video calls, groups, file sharing, sign-up without a phone number or your own server.",{"name":1577,"text":1578},"Pick two candidates","Based on the list, choose two messengers that fit well.",{"name":1580,"text":1581},"Test","Try both with a small group for one to two weeks.",{"name":1583,"text":1584},"Roll out","Choose your favourite, give a short introduction and move old groups over bit by bit.",{"src":1586},"/img/blog/photo-1526628953301-3e589a6a8b74.webp",{},"/en/blog/wire-bund-signal-bundestag-vs-nfd-messenger-sovereign-2026",{"title":1263,"description":1558},"en/3.blog/30.wire-bund-signal-bundestag-vs-nfd-messenger-sovereign-2026","_SAb7RVe3EOtAFryuoNrNDsdFHGLjtALsZrDyeQLINE",{"id":1593,"title":1594,"authors":1595,"badge":1598,"body":1600,"date":1862,"description":1863,"extension":478,"faq":1864,"howto":54,"image":1874,"meta":1876,"navigation":509,"path":1877,"seo":1878,"stem":1879,"__hash__":1880},"posts_en/en/3.blog/29.universities-opendesk-microsoft-365-dmk-review-autumn-2026.md","Open Source at Universities – What They Do and What You Can Use",[1596],{"name":70,"to":71,"avatar":1597},{"src":73},{"label":1599},"Open Source",{"type":77,"value":1601,"toc":1852},[1602,1605,1608,1612,1677,1680,1684,1710,1713,1715,1718,1738,1740,1765,1769,1772,1798,1802,1805,1809,1834,1843,1845,1848],[80,1603,1594],{"id":1604},"open-source-at-universities-what-they-do-and-what-you-can-use",[84,1606,1607],{},"Universities have been pioneers of open source for many years. Many computing centres run their own services for files, chat, video lectures and learning platforms – often with open software. That shows how well open source works for many thousands of people at once. And there are a few nice ideas you can take away for yourself.",[93,1609,1611],{"id":1610},"what-universities-typically-use","What universities typically use",[109,1613,1614,1623],{},[112,1615,1616],{},[115,1617,1618,1620],{},[118,1619,668],{},[118,1621,1622],{},"Commonly used open-source solution",[125,1624,1625,1632,1638,1646,1654,1661,1669],{},[115,1626,1627,1630],{},[130,1628,1629],{},"Files and sharing",[130,1631,32],{},[115,1633,1634,1636],{},[130,1635,271],{},[130,1637,694],{},[115,1639,1640,1643],{},[130,1641,1642],{},"Video lectures and meetings",[130,1644,1645],{},"BigBlueButton, Jitsi",[115,1647,1648,1651],{},[130,1649,1650],{},"Learning platform",[130,1652,1653],{},"Moodle, ILIAS",[115,1655,1656,1658],{},[130,1657,959],{},[130,1659,1660],{},"Collabora, ONLYOFFICE",[115,1662,1663,1666],{},[130,1664,1665],{},"Software projects",[130,1667,1668],{},"GitLab",[115,1670,1671,1674],{},[130,1672,1673],{},"Single login",[130,1675,1676],{},"Keycloak, Shibboleth",[84,1678,1679],{},"Many universities cooperate and share services across state or national borders. On top of that, Matrix servers at different universities can talk to each other – making collaboration across institutions really easy.",[93,1681,1683],{"id":1682},"why-open-source-suits-universities-so-well","Why open source suits universities so well",[165,1685,1686,1692,1698,1704],{},[168,1687,1688,1691],{},[88,1689,1690],{},"Research and teaching:"," Open code fits well with the idea of sharing knowledge.",[168,1693,1694,1697],{},[88,1695,1696],{},"Lots of users:"," No per-person licence – a big advantage with tens of thousands of students.",[168,1699,1700,1703],{},[88,1701,1702],{},"Customisable:"," Computing centres can adapt the software to their needs.",[168,1705,1706,1709],{},[88,1707,1708],{},"Collaboration:"," Improvements often flow back into the projects and help everyone.",[84,1711,1712],{},"openDesk, the office suite built from open-source building blocks, is also being discussed with interest in the university world.",[93,1714,1071],{"id":1070},[84,1716,1717],{},"The same tools are available to you too:",[165,1719,1720,1726,1732],{},[168,1721,1722,1725],{},[88,1723,1724],{},"Students and study groups:"," A shared Nextcloud for notes, a Matrix room for coordination.",[168,1727,1728,1731],{},[88,1729,1730],{},"Families:"," Photos, documents and calendars in one place, on a server you know.",[168,1733,1734,1737],{},[88,1735,1736],{},"Small businesses:"," The same combination of files, chat and office that works thousands of times over at universities.",[93,1739,163],{"id":162},[165,1741,1742,1748,1753,1759],{},[168,1743,1744,1747],{},[88,1745,1746],{},"University computing centre:"," A university's central IT department that runs services for students and staff.",[168,1749,1750,1752],{},[88,1751,1475],{}," Different servers or organisations working together, for example for chat via Matrix or for logins across universities.",[168,1754,1755,1758],{},[88,1756,1757],{},"Single sign-on:"," One login for many services.",[168,1760,1761,1764],{},[88,1762,1763],{},"Learning platform:"," Software for providing courses, materials and assignments, such as Moodle or ILIAS.",[93,1766,1768],{"id":1767},"what-works-well-and-what-we-can-learn-from-it","What works well – and what we can learn from it",[84,1770,1771],{},"Universities show what open source can do at scale:",[165,1773,1774,1780,1786,1792],{},[168,1775,1776,1779],{},[88,1777,1778],{},"Collaboration across boundaries:"," Many services are shared or developed jointly by several universities. That saves effort and spreads knowledge.",[168,1781,1782,1785],{},[88,1783,1784],{},"Lots of users, little licence stress:"," When thousands of new students arrive at the start of term, no extra licences need to be bought.",[168,1787,1788,1791],{},[88,1789,1790],{},"Adapting to their own needs:"," Computing centres can add features and contribute improvements back to the projects.",[168,1793,1794,1797],{},[88,1795,1796],{},"Good documentation:"," Many universities publish guides that others benefit from too.",[93,1799,1801],{"id":1800},"an-example-for-a-study-group","An example for a study group",[84,1803,1804],{},"Four students share a small Nextcloud with a European provider. Notes, reading lists and problem sheets live in a shared folder, appointments in the shared calendar. For quick coordination there's a Matrix room. Costs and effort are low, and everyone knows where their data is.",[93,1806,1808],{"id":1807},"how-to-get-started","How to get started",[297,1810,1811,1817,1823,1829],{},[168,1812,1813,1816],{},[88,1814,1815],{},"Pick one building block:"," For example Nextcloud for files.",[168,1818,1819,1822],{},[88,1820,1821],{},"Try it out:"," With a European provider or on a small server of your own.",[168,1824,1825,1828],{},[88,1826,1827],{},"Invite friends or your team:"," It's more fun together.",[168,1830,1831,1833],{},[88,1832,1063],{}," Add chat, calendar and office bit by bit.",[84,1835,1836,1837,1840,1841,331],{},"If you'd rather be shown the basics at a relaxed pace, have a look at my ",[327,1838,1839],{"href":1109},"workshops",". You'll find an overview of more tools under ",[327,1842,330],{"href":329},[93,1844,449],{"id":448},[84,1846,1847],{},"Universities show every day that open source works reliably at scale. The good news for you: what works for tens of thousands of students works for your family, your study group or your small office too.",[84,1849,459,1850,331],{},[327,1851,463],{"href":462},{"title":465,"searchDepth":466,"depth":466,"links":1853},[1854,1855,1856,1857,1858,1859,1860,1861],{"id":1610,"depth":466,"text":1611},{"id":1682,"depth":466,"text":1683},{"id":1070,"depth":466,"text":1071},{"id":162,"depth":466,"text":163},{"id":1767,"depth":466,"text":1768},{"id":1800,"depth":466,"text":1801},{"id":1807,"depth":466,"text":1808},{"id":448,"depth":466,"text":449},"2026-09-15T00:00:00.000Z","Many universities run their own cloud, chat and learning platforms with open source. An overview and ideas for your own everyday life.",[1865,1868,1871],{"q":1866,"a":1867},"Which open-source services do universities typically use?","Common ones are Nextcloud-based cloud storage, Matrix servers for chat, BigBlueButton for video lectures, Moodle or ILIAS as learning platforms and GitLab for software projects.",{"q":1869,"a":1870},"What is openDesk, and does it play a role at universities?","openDesk is an office suite made of open-source building blocks, maintained by the German Centre for Digital Sovereignty of Public Administration. Whether and how it will be used at universities is currently being discussed in various places.",{"q":1872,"a":1873},"Can I use the same tools as a student or private person?","Yes. All the programs mentioned are freely available. Many are also offered as hosted services by European providers, or you can run them on a small server of your own.",{"src":1875},"/img/blog/photo-1454165804606-c3d57bc86b40.webp",{},"/en/blog/universities-opendesk-microsoft-365-dmk-review-autumn-2026",{"title":1594,"description":1863},"en/3.blog/29.universities-opendesk-microsoft-365-dmk-review-autumn-2026","hCjfbin00RmWdDSfGvJPW91MWM4qXBYOaaTKIzolGp0",{"id":1882,"title":1883,"authors":1884,"badge":1887,"body":1888,"date":2147,"description":2148,"extension":478,"faq":2149,"howto":2159,"image":2175,"meta":2177,"navigation":509,"path":2178,"seo":2179,"stem":2180,"__hash__":2181},"posts_en/en/3.blog/28.microsoft-365-copilot-law-firms-tax-advisors-professional-secrecy-2026.md","Cloud and AI in Law Firms – What Matters for Professional Secrecy",[1885],{"name":70,"to":71,"avatar":1886},{"src":73},{"label":75},{"type":77,"value":1889,"toc":2137},[1890,1893,1896,1900,1911,1925,1928,1932,1935,1989,1992,1996,1999,2025,2029,2032,2064,2067,2069,2094,2098,2101,2118,2121,2123,2128,2130,2133],[80,1891,1883],{"id":1892},"cloud-and-ai-in-law-firms-what-matters-for-professional-secrecy",[84,1894,1895],{},"Law firms, tax offices and other professionals bound by secrecy work with especially confidential information. At the same time, like everyone else, they want to use modern tools: cloud storage, video calls, AI assistants. These fit together well if you keep a few things in mind. Here's a calm overview, based on the situation in Germany.",[93,1897,1899],{"id":1898},"why-law-firms-are-a-special-case","Why law firms are a special case",[84,1901,1902,1903,1906,1907,1910],{},"Lawyers, tax advisers, doctors and other professions are subject to a special ",[88,1904,1905],{},"duty of confidentiality",". In Germany, it's set out among other places in ",[88,1908,1909],{},"§ 203 of the Criminal Code (StGB)",". There are specific rules for involving service providers – such as an IT provider or a cloud service:",[165,1912,1913,1919],{},[168,1914,1915,1918],{},[88,1916,1917],{},"§ 43e BRAO"," for lawyers",[168,1920,1921,1924],{},[88,1922,1923],{},"§ 62a StBerG"," for tax advisers",[84,1926,1927],{},"Put simply: service providers may be involved if they're carefully selected and bound to confidentiality. You'll find the exact requirements in the legal text and in your chamber's guidance.",[93,1929,1931],{"id":1930},"what-this-means-for-cloud-services","What this means for cloud services",[84,1933,1934],{},"For any cloud service, it's worth looking at these questions:",[109,1936,1937,1947],{},[112,1938,1939],{},[115,1940,1941,1944],{},[118,1942,1943],{},"Question",[118,1945,1946],{},"Why it matters",[125,1948,1949,1957,1965,1973,1981],{},[115,1950,1951,1954],{},[130,1952,1953],{},"Is there a data processing agreement?",[130,1955,1956],{},"Covers the data protection side",[115,1958,1959,1962],{},[130,1960,1961],{},"Is there a confidentiality agreement?",[130,1963,1964],{},"Covers the professional-law side",[115,1966,1967,1970],{},[130,1968,1969],{},"Where is the data stored?",[130,1971,1972],{},"Helps assess the legal framework",[115,1974,1975,1978],{},[130,1976,1977],{},"Who has access?",[130,1979,1980],{},"Subprocessors count too",[115,1982,1983,1986],{},[130,1984,1985],{},"How is the data encrypted?",[130,1987,1988],{},"Good encryption adds protection",[84,1990,1991],{},"Many large providers offer special agreements for professionals bound by secrecy. Whether they fit your use is best clarified with your chamber or a lawyer.",[93,1993,1995],{"id":1994},"and-ai-assistants","And AI assistants?",[84,1997,1998],{},"AI can be really useful in a law firm – for drafts, summaries or research, for example. But with client data, special care is needed. A few simple ground rules:",[297,2000,2001,2007,2013,2019],{},[168,2002,2003,2006],{},[88,2004,2005],{},"Clear team rules:"," Which data may go into which tool?",[168,2008,2009,2012],{},[88,2010,2011],{},"Anonymise:"," Leave out names and case numbers wherever possible.",[168,2014,2015,2018],{},[88,2016,2017],{},"Check results:"," AI can be wrong – especially with legal details.",[168,2020,2021,2024],{},[88,2022,2023],{},"Consider local AI:"," An assistant on your own hardware keeps the data in-house.",[93,2026,2028],{"id":2027},"how-open-source-can-help-in-a-law-firm","How open source can help in a law firm",[84,2030,2031],{},"A nice way to keep control is open-source software on a server you know – in the office or in a German data centre:",[165,2033,2034,2039,2048,2053,2058],{},[168,2035,2036,2038],{},[88,2037,32],{}," for files, documents and sharing with clients (with password and expiry date)",[168,2040,2041,2044,2045,2047],{},[88,2042,2043],{},"Collabora"," or ",[88,2046,40],{}," for editing briefs in the browser",[168,2049,2050,2052],{},[88,2051,277],{}," for confidential internal communication",[168,2054,2055,2057],{},[88,2056,288],{}," for all of the firm's passwords",[168,2059,2060,2063],{},[88,2061,2062],{},"Local AI"," with Ollama or the Nextcloud Assistant",[84,2065,2066],{},"Practice software like DATEV or RA-MICRO stays as it is, of course. Open source takes care of everything around it.",[93,2068,163],{"id":162},[165,2070,2071,2077,2083,2089],{},[168,2072,2073,2076],{},[88,2074,2075],{},"Professionals bound by secrecy:"," People with a professional duty of confidentiality, such as lawyers, tax advisers or doctors.",[168,2078,2079,2082],{},[88,2080,2081],{},"Contributing person:"," Anyone who works with a professional bound by secrecy or is involved as a service provider and may come into contact with confidential information.",[168,2084,2085,2088],{},[88,2086,2087],{},"Confidentiality agreement:"," An agreement in which a service provider explicitly commits to confidentiality.",[168,2090,2091,2093],{},[88,2092,1469],{}," Only the sender and recipient can read the content.",[93,2095,2097],{"id":2096},"an-example-from-a-small-law-firm","An example from a small law firm",[84,2099,2100],{},"A firm with three lawyers and two staff wants to exchange documents with clients more securely. Until now, many documents went back and forth by email. The firm opts for a Nextcloud in a German data centre:",[297,2102,2103,2106,2109,2112,2115],{},[168,2104,2105],{},"Each matter gets its own folder with clear permissions.",[168,2107,2108],{},"Clients receive share links with a password and expiry date.",[168,2110,2111],{},"For uploads, there's a \"drop box\" link clients can use to send files.",[168,2113,2114],{},"A data processing agreement and a confidentiality agreement are signed with the service provider.",[168,2116,2117],{},"The firm's practice software stays as it is.",[84,2119,2120],{},"The result: fewer email attachments, a clear overview and peace of mind with confidential documents.",[93,2122,831],{"id":830},[84,2124,2125,2126,331],{},"I'm an IT service provider and external information security officer, but not a lawyer. For the professional-law assessment, please talk to your chamber or a legal adviser. I'm happy to help with the technical side – more under ",[327,2127,456],{"href":455},[93,2129,449],{"id":448},[84,2131,2132],{},"Cloud and AI can be used well in law firms too – with clear contracts, a few simple rules and tools where you know where your data is. Open source is a reliable and pleasant foundation for this.",[84,2134,459,2135,331],{},[327,2136,463],{"href":462},{"title":465,"searchDepth":466,"depth":466,"links":2138},[2139,2140,2141,2142,2143,2144,2145,2146],{"id":1898,"depth":466,"text":1899},{"id":1930,"depth":466,"text":1931},{"id":1994,"depth":466,"text":1995},{"id":2027,"depth":466,"text":2028},{"id":162,"depth":466,"text":163},{"id":2096,"depth":466,"text":2097},{"id":830,"depth":466,"text":831},{"id":448,"depth":466,"text":449},"2026-09-08T00:00:00.000Z","Law firms and tax offices handle especially confidential data. What matters when using cloud and AI, and how open source can help.",[2150,2153,2156],{"q":2151,"a":2152},"Are law firms allowed to use cloud services at all?","In principle, yes. German professional law allows service providers to be involved if certain conditions are met. These include, among other things, binding the provider to confidentiality. The details are set out in § 43e BRAO for lawyers and § 62a StBerG for tax advisers.",{"q":2154,"a":2155},"Is a normal data processing agreement enough?","The GDPR data processing agreement covers data protection. For professionals bound by secrecy, professional-law requirements come on top, such as an explicit confidentiality agreement. What that means in your case is best clarified with your professional chamber or a lawyer.",{"q":2157,"a":2158},"Can I use AI assistants in my firm?","Many firms use AI for drafts or research. With client data, special care is needed. One option is an AI assistant that runs on your own hardware, so the data stays in-house.",{"name":2160,"description":2161,"totalTime":877,"steps":2162},"Setting up a law firm's IT with confidence","Four steps to use cloud and AI in your firm with peace of mind.",[2163,2166,2169,2172],{"name":2164,"text":2165},"List services","List which cloud services and AI tools are used in the firm.",{"name":2167,"text":2168},"Check contracts","For each provider, check whether a data processing agreement and a confidentiality agreement are in place.",{"name":2170,"text":2171},"Set rules","Agree together which data may go into which tools.",{"name":2173,"text":2174},"Consider your own solutions","For especially confidential data, consider a solution on your own server or with a carefully chosen European provider.",{"src":2176},"/img/blog/photo-1589829545856-d10d557cf95f.webp",{},"/en/blog/microsoft-365-copilot-law-firms-tax-advisors-professional-secrecy-2026",{"title":1883,"description":2148},"en/3.blog/28.microsoft-365-copilot-law-firms-tax-advisors-professional-secrecy-2026","xqtz9oZt2jhYD9TGt-S0fQjulkRP_NCcbu_CEk_ip1M",{"id":2183,"title":2184,"authors":2185,"badge":2188,"body":2189,"date":2490,"description":2491,"extension":478,"faq":2492,"howto":2502,"image":2518,"meta":2520,"navigation":509,"path":2521,"seo":2522,"stem":2523,"__hash__":2524},"posts_en/en/3.blog/27.municipal-utilities-nis2-energy-microsoft-365-sovereign-alternative-2026.md","What Municipal Utilities Show Us – Structured Security with Open Source",[2186],{"name":70,"to":71,"avatar":2187},{"src":73},{"label":75},{"type":77,"value":2190,"toc":2480},[2191,2194,2197,2201,2208,2234,2249,2253,2256,2318,2322,2325,2351,2368,2372,2377,2379,2405,2409,2412,2429,2432,2436,2439,2471,2473,2476],[80,2192,2184],{"id":2193},"what-municipal-utilities-show-us-structured-security-with-open-source",[84,2195,2196],{},"Municipal utilities and energy suppliers carry a big responsibility: electricity, water and heat should flow reliably. That's why they take IT security especially seriously and work with clear structures. The exciting part: many of these ideas also work in a small business – and open source can be a practical helper.",[93,2198,2200],{"id":2199},"how-energy-suppliers-approach-security","How energy suppliers approach security",[84,2202,2203,2204,2207],{},"Many utilities work with an ",[88,2205,2206],{},"information security management system (ISMS)",". It sounds technical, but at its core it's a simple cycle:",[297,2209,2210,2216,2222,2228],{},[168,2211,2212,2215],{},[88,2213,2214],{},"Plan:"," Which systems and data are there, and what could go wrong?",[168,2217,2218,2221],{},[88,2219,2220],{},"Do:"," Introduce suitable safeguards.",[168,2223,2224,2227],{},[88,2225,2226],{},"Check:"," Regularly verify that everything works.",[168,2229,2230,2233],{},[88,2231,2232],{},"Improve:"," Learn from experience and adjust.",[84,2235,2236,2237,2240,2241,2244,2245,2248],{},"The basis for this is often ",[88,2238,2239],{},"ISO 27001"," or the BSI's ",[88,2242,2243],{},"IT-Grundschutz",". Energy suppliers also have their own requirements, including from the implementation of the EU ",[88,2246,2247],{},"NIS2"," directive.",[93,2250,2252],{"id":2251},"what-helps-on-a-small-scale","What helps on a small scale",[84,2254,2255],{},"You don't have to be a utility to benefit from this cycle:",[109,2257,2258,2268],{},[112,2259,2260],{},[115,2261,2262,2265],{},[118,2263,2264],{},"ISMS idea",[118,2266,2267],{},"What it looks like in a small business",[125,2269,2270,2278,2286,2294,2302,2310],{},[115,2271,2272,2275],{},[130,2273,2274],{},"Responsibility",[130,2276,2277],{},"One person takes care of it, ideally with external help",[115,2279,2280,2283],{},[130,2281,2282],{},"Inventory",[130,2284,2285],{},"A list of all devices, programs and services",[115,2287,2288,2291],{},[130,2289,2290],{},"Risk assessment",[130,2292,2293],{},"What would be most unpleasant in an outage?",[115,2295,2296,2299],{},[130,2297,2298],{},"Safeguards",[130,2300,2301],{},"Backups, updates, two-factor login, password manager",[115,2303,2304,2307],{},[130,2305,2306],{},"Emergency plan",[130,2308,2309],{},"One page: who does what if something fails?",[115,2311,2312,2315],{},[130,2313,2314],{},"Review",[130,2316,2317],{},"Go through everything once a year",[93,2319,2321],{"id":2320},"where-open-source-supports-you","Where open source supports you",[84,2323,2324],{},"Open-source software is used by many organisations with high security requirements. For small businesses, these advantages are especially interesting:",[165,2326,2327,2333,2339,2345],{},[168,2328,2329,2332],{},[88,2330,2331],{},"Choose your location:"," You know where your data is.",[168,2334,2335,2338],{},[88,2336,2337],{},"Updates in your hands:"," You decide when and how things get updated.",[168,2340,2341,2344],{},[88,2342,2343],{},"Traceable:"," Configurations are easy to document.",[168,2346,2347,2350],{},[88,2348,2349],{},"Switchable:"," Open standards make you independent of individual providers.",[84,2352,2353,2354,2356,2357,2359,2360,2362,2363,2365,2366,331],{},"Typical building blocks are ",[88,2355,32],{}," for files, ",[88,2358,277],{}," for communication, ",[88,2361,288],{}," for passwords and ",[88,2364,48],{}," for logins. You'll find more under ",[327,2367,330],{"href":329},[93,2369,2371],{"id":2370},"a-relaxed-way-in","A relaxed way in",[84,2373,2374,2375,331],{},"Just start small. An inventory, a few good habits and a short emergency plan already go a long way. If you'd like support: as an external information security officer, I also work with small businesses – more under ",[327,2376,456],{"href":455},[93,2378,163],{"id":162},[165,2380,2381,2387,2393,2399],{},[168,2382,2383,2386],{},[88,2384,2385],{},"ISMS:"," Information security management system – the structured framework for security in an organisation.",[168,2388,2389,2392],{},[88,2390,2391],{},"ISO 27001:"," An international standard for building and certifying an ISMS.",[168,2394,2395,2398],{},[88,2396,2397],{},"Risk analysis:"," Assessing what could happen, how likely it is and how bad the consequences would be.",[168,2400,2401,2404],{},[88,2402,2403],{},"Information security officer:"," A person who takes care of the topic, gives advice and keeps the overview – internally or externally.",[93,2406,2408],{"id":2407},"an-example-from-a-small-business","An example from a small business",[84,2410,2411],{},"An engineering firm with ten people works for clients in the energy sector. These clients increasingly ask how the firm handles information security. So the firm sets up a small, lean security management:",[297,2413,2414,2417,2420,2423,2426],{},[168,2415,2416],{},"One person takes responsibility, supported by an external information security officer.",[168,2418,2419],{},"A list of all systems and services is created.",[168,2421,2422],{},"Measures are defined for the main risks – such as backups, updates and two-factor login.",[168,2424,2425],{},"A one-page emergency plan hangs in the office.",[168,2427,2428],{},"Once a year, all points are reviewed together.",[84,2430,2431],{},"Now, when a client asks about the security concept, the firm can hand over a clear, short overview. That builds trust – on both sides.",[93,2433,2435],{"id":2434},"small-habits-with-a-big-impact","Small habits with a big impact",[84,2437,2438],{},"Not everything needs a project. A few habits already go a long way day to day:",[165,2440,2441,2447,2453,2459,2465],{},[168,2442,2443,2446],{},[88,2444,2445],{},"Lock your screen"," when you leave your desk.",[168,2448,2449,2452],{},[88,2450,2451],{},"Report suspicious emails"," instead of just deleting them – that way everyone is warned.",[168,2454,2455,2458],{},[88,2456,2457],{},"Don't postpone updates","; ideally install them right away.",[168,2460,2461,2464],{},[88,2462,2463],{},"Clean up accounts"," when someone leaves the business.",[168,2466,2467,2470],{},[88,2468,2469],{},"Don't plug in USB sticks"," of unknown origin.",[93,2472,449],{"id":448},[84,2474,2475],{},"Municipal utilities show how well a clear structure for information security works. The same ideas help in a small office too – and with open source, you keep control over your data.",[84,2477,459,2478,331],{},[327,2479,463],{"href":462},{"title":465,"searchDepth":466,"depth":466,"links":2481},[2482,2483,2484,2485,2486,2487,2488,2489],{"id":2199,"depth":466,"text":2200},{"id":2251,"depth":466,"text":2252},{"id":2320,"depth":466,"text":2321},{"id":2370,"depth":466,"text":2371},{"id":162,"depth":466,"text":163},{"id":2407,"depth":466,"text":2408},{"id":2434,"depth":466,"text":2435},{"id":448,"depth":466,"text":449},"2026-09-01T00:00:00.000Z","Energy suppliers take IT security especially seriously. The ideas behind it and how small businesses can put them into practice with open source.",[2493,2496,2499],{"q":2494,"a":2495},"Why is IT security so important for municipal utilities?","Municipal utilities supply many people with electricity, water or heat. For that to work reliably, the IT behind it has to be well protected too. That's why many energy suppliers are subject to special requirements, for example from NIS2 implementation.",{"q":2497,"a":2498},"What is an information security management system (ISMS)?","An ISMS is a structured framework an organisation uses to plan, implement, review and improve its information security. Well-known foundations for it are ISO 27001 and the BSI's IT-Grundschutz.",{"q":2500,"a":2501},"Do I need an ISMS as a small business?","A full ISMS usually isn't necessary for small businesses. But a few of its basic ideas – overview, responsibilities, regular review – help everyone.",{"name":2503,"description":2504,"totalTime":877,"steps":2505},"A mini ISMS for small businesses","The basic ideas of security management in four simple steps.",[2506,2509,2512,2515],{"name":2507,"text":2508},"Clarify responsibility","Decide who takes care of IT security in the business, internally or with external support.",{"name":2510,"text":2511},"Assess risks","Think about which outages or data losses would be especially unpleasant.",{"name":2513,"text":2514},"Implement measures","Introduce suitable measures such as backups, updates, two-factor login and an emergency plan.",{"name":2516,"text":2517},"Review regularly","Once a year, check whether everything still fits and improve where needed.",{"src":2519},"/img/blog/photo-1473341304170-971dccb5ac1e.webp",{},"/en/blog/municipal-utilities-nis2-energy-microsoft-365-sovereign-alternative-2026",{"title":2184,"description":2491},"en/3.blog/27.municipal-utilities-nis2-energy-microsoft-365-sovereign-alternative-2026","SfkSEipAMT4EBDHpucs9FGu2Ss1U62oMPz6JlqBy62k",{"id":2526,"title":2527,"authors":2528,"badge":2531,"body":2532,"date":2811,"description":2812,"extension":478,"faq":2813,"howto":2823,"image":2840,"meta":2842,"navigation":509,"path":2843,"seo":2844,"stem":2845,"__hash__":2846},"posts_en/en/3.blog/26.schleswig-holstein-blueprint-libreoffice-migration-states-municipalities-2026.md","Schleswig-Holstein Goes Open Source – What Small Businesses Can Learn",[2529],{"name":70,"to":71,"avatar":2530},{"src":73},{"label":1599},{"type":77,"value":2533,"toc":2802},[2534,2537,2540,2544,2551,2618,2621,2625,2655,2659,2662,2694,2698,2701,2707,2711,2749,2753,2756,2788,2791,2793,2798],[80,2535,2527],{"id":2536},"schleswig-holstein-goes-open-source-what-small-businesses-can-learn",[84,2538,2539],{},"Schleswig-Holstein, Germany's northernmost state, is a really nice example of how switching to open source can work in practice. For some time now, the state has been moving its administrative workplaces to open software step by step – from office programs to file storage. What works on a large scale transfers wonderfully to small businesses.",[93,2541,2543],{"id":2542},"what-schleswig-holstein-is-doing","What Schleswig-Holstein is doing",[84,2545,2546,2547,2550],{},"The state has chosen a ",[88,2548,2549],{},"modular path",": not everything at once, but one building block at a time. The most important building blocks include:",[109,2552,2553,2564],{},[112,2554,2555],{},[115,2556,2557,2559,2561],{},[118,2558,205],{},[118,2560,671],{},[118,2562,2563],{},"Typically replaces",[125,2565,2566,2577,2587,2596,2607],{},[115,2567,2568,2571,2574],{},[130,2569,2570],{},"Office documents",[130,2572,2573],{},"LibreOffice",[130,2575,2576],{},"Word, Excel, PowerPoint",[115,2578,2579,2581,2584],{},[130,2580,951],{},[130,2582,2583],{},"Open-Xchange and Thunderbird",[130,2585,2586],{},"Exchange and Outlook",[115,2588,2589,2591,2593],{},[130,2590,363],{},[130,2592,32],{},[130,2594,2595],{},"Network drives, SharePoint",[115,2597,2598,2601,2604],{},[130,2599,2600],{},"Operating system",[130,2602,2603],{},"Linux",[130,2605,2606],{},"Windows (long term)",[115,2608,2609,2612,2615],{},[130,2610,2611],{},"Directory service",[130,2613,2614],{},"Univention",[130,2616,2617],{},"Active Directory",[84,2619,2620],{},"A large part of the switch has already been completed, with further steps to follow.",[93,2622,2624],{"id":2623},"whats-so-good-about-it","What's so good about it",[165,2626,2627,2633,2639,2644,2649],{},[168,2628,2629,2632],{},[88,2630,2631],{},"Step by step:"," No hard cut, but a plan with stages.",[168,2634,2635,2638],{},[88,2636,2637],{},"Proven building blocks:"," All programs have been in use for many years.",[168,2640,2641,2643],{},[88,2642,184],{}," Documents stay interchangeable.",[168,2645,2646,2648],{},[88,2647,1027],{}," Instead of per-seat licences, money goes into operation, support and further development.",[168,2650,2651,2654],{},[88,2652,2653],{},"Leading by example:"," Other organisations can benefit from the knowledge gained.",[93,2656,2658],{"id":2657},"what-a-small-business-can-copy","What a small business can copy",[84,2660,2661],{},"The good news: on a small scale, a switch like this is often even easier. With five or ten people, everything is organised more quickly. Here's how it could look:",[297,2663,2664,2670,2676,2682,2688],{},[168,2665,2666,2669],{},[88,2667,2668],{},"Office first:"," Install LibreOffice or an online office solution in parallel and use it for new documents.",[168,2671,2672,2675],{},[88,2673,2674],{},"Email and calendar:"," Move to open standards, for example with Thunderbird.",[168,2677,2678,2681],{},[88,2679,2680],{},"Files:"," Move your shared storage to Nextcloud.",[168,2683,2684,2687],{},[88,2685,2686],{},"Meetings:"," Introduce an open solution for chat and video calls.",[168,2689,2690,2693],{},[88,2691,2692],{},"Specialised programs:"," Review them calmly – some simply stay as long as they're needed.",[93,2695,2697],{"id":2696},"an-honest-look","An honest look",[84,2699,2700],{},"A switch takes some patience. Some processes feel unfamiliar at first, and individual specialised programs may not have a direct equivalent. That's exactly why the step-by-step approach makes so much sense: you learn along the way and can adjust at any time.",[84,2702,2703,2704,2706],{},"Short introductions help everyone in the team keep up. I also offer ",[327,2705,1839],{"href":1109}," for this.",[93,2708,2710],{"id":2709},"the-building-blocks-in-brief","The building blocks in brief",[165,2712,2713,2719,2725,2731,2737,2743],{},[168,2714,2715,2718],{},[88,2716,2717],{},"LibreOffice:"," The free office suite for texts, spreadsheets and presentations. Runs on Windows, macOS and Linux.",[168,2720,2721,2724],{},[88,2722,2723],{},"Thunderbird:"," The well-known email program that also manages calendars and contacts.",[168,2726,2727,2730],{},[88,2728,2729],{},"Open-Xchange:"," A groupware server for email, calendar and contacts, with a web interface too.",[168,2732,2733,2736],{},[88,2734,2735],{},"Nextcloud:"," Files, sharing and teamwork.",[168,2738,2739,2742],{},[88,2740,2741],{},"Linux:"," A free operating system that runs smoothly on many office computers today.",[168,2744,2745,2748],{},[88,2746,2747],{},"Univention:"," A platform for managing users and permissions.",[93,2750,2752],{"id":2751},"what-big-projects-teach-us-about-people","What big projects teach us about people",[84,2754,2755],{},"With any switch, technology is only half the story. The other half is the people who work with it every day. A few lessons that come up again and again:",[165,2757,2758,2764,2770,2776,2782],{},[168,2759,2760,2763],{},[88,2761,2762],{},"Inform early:"," When everyone knows why things are changing, willingness grows.",[168,2765,2766,2769],{},[88,2767,2768],{},"Name contacts:"," Someone on the team you can turn to with questions is worth their weight in gold.",[168,2771,2772,2775],{},[88,2773,2774],{},"Short training sessions:"," Several short sessions are better than one long one.",[168,2777,2778,2781],{},[88,2779,2780],{},"Take feedback seriously:"," If something isn't working, adjust.",[168,2783,2784,2787],{},[88,2785,2786],{},"Show successes:"," When something works better than before, feel free to talk about it.",[84,2789,2790],{},"That's as true in a state administration as it is in an office with five people.",[93,2792,449],{"id":448},[84,2794,2795,2796,331],{},"Schleswig-Holstein shows that open source is a practical and well-thought-out choice even for large organisations. For small businesses, that means: the building blocks are mature, and the path is easy to follow – at your own pace. You'll find an overview of alternatives under ",[327,2797,330],{"href":329},[84,2799,459,2800,331],{},[327,2801,463],{"href":462},{"title":465,"searchDepth":466,"depth":466,"links":2803},[2804,2805,2806,2807,2808,2809,2810],{"id":2542,"depth":466,"text":2543},{"id":2623,"depth":466,"text":2624},{"id":2657,"depth":466,"text":2658},{"id":2696,"depth":466,"text":2697},{"id":2709,"depth":466,"text":2710},{"id":2751,"depth":466,"text":2752},{"id":448,"depth":466,"text":449},"2026-08-25T00:00:00.000Z","The German state of Schleswig-Holstein is moving its administration to open source step by step. A great example small businesses can learn a lot from.",[2814,2817,2820],{"q":2815,"a":2816},"What has Schleswig-Holstein switched?","The state is gradually moving its administrative workplaces to open-source software. This includes LibreOffice for office documents, Open-Xchange and Thunderbird for email and calendars, and Nextcloud for file storage.",{"q":2818,"a":2819},"Can a switch like this be applied to a small business?","Yes – on a small scale it's often even easier. The building blocks are the same, and with just a few people a switch is organised more quickly.",{"q":2821,"a":2822},"What happens to programs that only run on Windows?","They don't have to go straight away. You can proceed step by step and keep using specialised programs for as long as they're needed.",{"name":2824,"description":2825,"totalTime":1240,"steps":2826},"Switching to open source step by step","Schleswig-Holstein's modular approach, applied to a small business.",[2827,2830,2832,2834,2837],{"name":2828,"text":2829},"Start with office","Install LibreOffice or an online office solution alongside your current program and use it for new documents.",{"name":951,"text":2831},"Move email, calendar and contacts to open standards like IMAP, CalDAV and CardDAV, for example with Thunderbird.",{"name":363,"text":2833},"Move your shared file storage to Nextcloud.",{"name":2835,"text":2836},"Video calls and chat","Introduce an open solution for meetings and chat.",{"name":2838,"text":2839},"Review the rest","Calmly review remaining specialised programs and keep using them if needed.",{"src":2841},"/img/blog/photo-1451187580459-43490279c0fa.webp",{},"/en/blog/schleswig-holstein-blueprint-libreoffice-migration-states-municipalities-2026",{"title":2527,"description":2812},"en/3.blog/26.schleswig-holstein-blueprint-libreoffice-migration-states-municipalities-2026","5NA6eZfpvXfqmkiS7MbSjVHn_p4dsOa6JpsiKfKgmKk",{"id":2848,"title":2849,"authors":2850,"badge":2853,"body":2854,"date":3156,"description":3157,"extension":478,"faq":3158,"howto":3167,"image":3187,"meta":3188,"navigation":509,"path":3189,"seo":3190,"stem":3191,"__hash__":3192},"posts_en/en/3.blog/25.bsi-c3a-microsoft-365-procurement-sovereignty-2026.md","How to Spot a Good Cloud Provider – a Simple Checklist",[2851],{"name":70,"to":71,"avatar":2852},{"src":73},{"label":75},{"type":77,"value":2855,"toc":3146},[2856,2859,2874,2878,2890,2893,2897,2980,2984,2991,2994,3017,3021,3024,3026,3051,3053,3056,3125,3128,3132,3135,3137,3142],[80,2857,2849],{"id":2858},"how-to-spot-a-good-cloud-provider-a-simple-checklist",[84,2860,2861,2862,2865,2866,2869,2870,2873],{},"When choosing a cloud service, many people ask the same question: how can I tell whether a provider is a good fit for me? Germany's ",[88,2863,2864],{},"Federal Office for Information Security (BSI)"," has published criteria catalogues for this, for example ",[88,2867,2868],{},"C5"," for information security and ",[88,2871,2872],{},"C3A"," on the question of how self-determined you can be when using a cloud service. These catalogues are mainly aimed at providers and larger organisations. But you can easily use the ideas behind them for yourself.",[93,2875,2877],{"id":2876},"briefly-explained-c5-and-c3a","Briefly explained: C5 and C3A",[165,2879,2880,2885],{},[168,2881,2882,2884],{},[88,2883,2868],{}," (Cloud Computing Compliance Criteria Catalogue) sets out security requirements for cloud services. Many providers have themselves audited against it.",[168,2886,2887,2889],{},[88,2888,2872],{}," deals with criteria around sovereignty – for example where data is stored, who can access it and how easy it is to switch.",[84,2891,2892],{},"As a small business, you don't need to work through these catalogues. The checklist below picks up the most important ideas.",[93,2894,2896],{"id":2895},"the-checklist","The checklist",[109,2898,2899,2908],{},[112,2900,2901],{},[115,2902,2903,2905],{},[118,2904,1943],{},[118,2906,2907],{},"What to look out for",[125,2909,2910,2920,2930,2940,2950,2960,2970],{},[115,2911,2912,2917],{},[130,2913,2914],{},[88,2915,2916],{},"Where is my data?",[130,2918,2919],{},"Country and data centre should be clearly stated",[115,2921,2922,2927],{},[130,2923,2924],{},[88,2925,2926],{},"Who else processes it?",[130,2928,2929],{},"A list of subprocessors should be available",[115,2931,2932,2937],{},[130,2933,2934],{},[88,2935,2936],{},"How secure is the service?",[130,2938,2939],{},"Certificates or attestations, such as ISO 27001 or C5, are a good sign",[115,2941,2942,2947],{},[130,2943,2944],{},[88,2945,2946],{},"Are there backups?",[130,2948,2949],{},"What is backed up, how often, and how does restoring work?",[115,2951,2952,2957],{},[130,2953,2954],{},[88,2955,2956],{},"Can I switch?",[130,2958,2959],{},"Export in open formats, clear notice periods",[115,2961,2962,2967],{},[130,2963,2964],{},[88,2965,2966],{},"How do I reach support?",[130,2968,2969],{},"In your language and time zone?",[115,2971,2972,2977],{},[130,2973,2974],{},[88,2975,2976],{},"Is the software open?",[130,2978,2979],{},"With open source, you can switch providers without switching software",[93,2981,2983],{"id":2982},"why-open-source-scores-here","Why open source scores here",[84,2985,2986,2987,2990],{},"One big advantage of open source is ",[88,2988,2989],{},"freedom of choice",". Nextcloud, Element or Vaultwarden run with lots of different providers – or on your own server. If a provider no longer suits you, you can simply keep running the same software somewhere else. Your data, your habits and your apps stay the same.",[84,2992,2993],{},"With open source, you also decide for yourself:",[165,2995,2996,3003,3010],{},[168,2997,2998,2999,3002],{},"which ",[88,3000,3001],{},"data centre"," the software runs in,",[168,3004,3005,3006,3009],{},"how often ",[88,3007,3008],{},"backups"," are made,",[168,3011,3012,3013,3016],{},"who has ",[88,3014,3015],{},"access"," to the server.",[93,3018,3020],{"id":3019},"for-law-firms-and-practices","For law firms and practices",[84,3022,3023],{},"Especially if you work with confidential or sensitive data – as a law firm, tax office or practice – it's worth going through the checklist calmly. If you're unsure which requirements apply in your field, it's best to ask your professional chamber, your data protection adviser or a lawyer.",[93,3025,163],{"id":162},[165,3027,3028,3034,3039,3045],{},[168,3029,3030,3033],{},[88,3031,3032],{},"Attestation:"," Confirmation by independent auditors that certain requirements are met.",[168,3035,3036,3038],{},[88,3037,2391],{}," An international standard for information security management systems.",[168,3040,3041,3044],{},[88,3042,3043],{},"Subprocessor:"," Other companies a provider uses for its service, for example a data centre.",[168,3046,3047,3050],{},[88,3048,3049],{},"Data portability:"," The ability to take your data with you in a common format.",[93,3052,335],{"id":334},[84,3054,3055],{},"An occupational therapy practice is looking for a provider for shared file storage. It compares two offers using the checklist:",[109,3057,3058,3070],{},[112,3059,3060],{},[115,3061,3062,3064,3067],{},[118,3063,1943],{},[118,3065,3066],{},"Provider A",[118,3068,3069],{},"Provider B",[125,3071,3072,3083,3094,3104,3115],{},[115,3073,3074,3077,3080],{},[130,3075,3076],{},"Data location",[130,3078,3079],{},"Germany",[130,3081,3082],{},"\"EU\" without further detail",[115,3084,3085,3088,3091],{},[130,3086,3087],{},"Subprocessors",[130,3089,3090],{},"public list",[130,3092,3093],{},"on request",[115,3095,3096,3099,3101],{},[130,3097,3098],{},"Certificate",[130,3100,2239],{},[130,3102,3103],{},"none mentioned",[115,3105,3106,3109,3112],{},[130,3107,3108],{},"Export",[130,3110,3111],{},"WebDAV, normal files",[130,3113,3114],{},"individual downloads only",[115,3116,3117,3119,3122],{},[130,3118,841],{},[130,3120,3121],{},"German, by phone",[130,3123,3124],{},"English, by ticket",[84,3126,3127],{},"Both offers could work. The practice chooses A because it gets all the answers there quickly and clearly. That's exactly the point: the checklist makes the decision easier and easy to explain.",[93,3129,3131],{"id":3130},"tip-keep-the-answers","Tip: keep the answers",[84,3133,3134],{},"Store the providers' answers together with the contract. That way you have everything to hand when clients ask or when you update your data protection documentation.",[93,3136,449],{"id":448},[84,3138,3139,3140,331],{},"A good cloud provider is transparent: it tells you where your data is, who's involved and how you can get out again. With open source, you also keep the freedom to switch at any time. If you'd like support with choosing, have a look at ",[327,3141,456],{"href":455},[84,3143,459,3144,331],{},[327,3145,463],{"href":462},{"title":465,"searchDepth":466,"depth":466,"links":3147},[3148,3149,3150,3151,3152,3153,3154,3155],{"id":2876,"depth":466,"text":2877},{"id":2895,"depth":466,"text":2896},{"id":2982,"depth":466,"text":2983},{"id":3019,"depth":466,"text":3020},{"id":162,"depth":466,"text":163},{"id":334,"depth":466,"text":335},{"id":3130,"depth":466,"text":3131},{"id":448,"depth":466,"text":449},"2026-08-18T00:00:00.000Z","Criteria catalogues like the BSI's C5 or C3A help with choosing a cloud. Here's a simple checklist for small businesses, law firms and practices.",[3159,3162,3165],{"q":3160,"a":3161},"What are C5 and C3A?","Both are criteria catalogues from Germany's Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) relating to cloud services. C5 sets out information security requirements for cloud providers. C3A deals with criteria for how independently and self-determined you can use a cloud service.",{"q":3163,"a":3164},"Do I need a certified provider as a small business?","Not necessarily. Certificates and attestations are a helpful signal, but not a must for every use. What matters is that the provider fits your data and requirements.",{"q":481,"a":3166},"That you can export your data at any time in a common format and take it to another provider.",{"name":3168,"description":3169,"totalTime":3170,"steps":3171},"Choosing a cloud provider","Five questions to compare cloud offerings in a relaxed way.","P1W",[3172,3175,3178,3181,3184],{"name":3173,"text":3174},"Clarify location","Ask in which country and data centre the data is stored.",{"name":3176,"text":3177},"Read the contract","Look at the data processing agreement and the list of subprocessors.",{"name":3179,"text":3180},"Check security","Ask about certificates or attestations such as ISO 27001 or C5 and about the backup concept.",{"name":3182,"text":3183},"Test the export","Try out how easily data can be exported in open formats.",{"name":3185,"text":3186},"Look at support","Check how to reach support and in which language.",{"src":1875},{},"/en/blog/bsi-c3a-microsoft-365-procurement-sovereignty-2026",{"title":2849,"description":3157},"en/3.blog/25.bsi-c3a-microsoft-365-procurement-sovereignty-2026","A1dgArERlqgdLNuA2wga-U7Q2ROqtKNOLQO76GsYZOI",{"id":3194,"title":3195,"authors":3196,"badge":3199,"body":3200,"date":3443,"description":3444,"extension":478,"faq":3445,"howto":3455,"image":3469,"meta":3471,"navigation":509,"path":3472,"seo":3473,"stem":3474,"__hash__":3475},"posts_en/en/3.blog/23.hospital-nis2-microsoft-365-sovereign-cloud-alternative-2026.md","IT Security in Healthcare – What Practices Can Learn from Hospitals",[3197],{"name":70,"to":71,"avatar":3198},{"src":73},{"label":75},{"type":77,"value":3201,"toc":3433},[3202,3205,3208,3212,3215,3247,3250,3254,3261,3265,3268,3326,3329,3333,3363,3365,3390,3394,3397,3414,3417,3419,3424,3426,3429],[80,3203,3195],{"id":3204},"it-security-in-healthcare-what-practices-can-learn-from-hospitals",[84,3206,3207],{},"Hospitals have invested a lot in IT security in recent years. They work with very sensitive data and have to function around the clock. The nice thing: many of their ideas transfer well to small medical, dental and therapy practices – often with simple means and with open source.",[93,3209,3211],{"id":3210},"what-hospitals-do-particularly-well","What hospitals do particularly well",[84,3213,3214],{},"Good hospital IT follows a few clear principles:",[165,3216,3217,3223,3229,3235,3241],{},[168,3218,3219,3222],{},[88,3220,3221],{},"Overview:"," There's a list of all systems and data.",[168,3224,3225,3228],{},[88,3226,3227],{},"Layers:"," Important areas are separated so that one problem doesn't affect everything.",[168,3230,3231,3234],{},[88,3232,3233],{},"Backups:"," Data is backed up regularly, with a copy kept separately.",[168,3236,3237,3240],{},[88,3238,3239],{},"Emergency plans:"," Everyone knows what to do if a system fails.",[168,3242,3243,3246],{},[88,3244,3245],{},"Training:"," The team recognises suspicious emails and knows how to react.",[84,3248,3249],{},"Larger hospitals have their own requirements for this, for example from NIS2 implementation and sector-specific security standards.",[93,3251,3253],{"id":3252},"and-in-a-practice","And in a practice?",[84,3255,3256,3257,3260],{},"For practices in Germany, there's the ",[88,3258,3259],{},"IT security guideline of the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KBV)",". It describes which measures make sense depending on the size of the practice. The ideas are the same as in a hospital – just on a smaller scale. You'll find more in my article on the KBV guideline.",[93,3262,3264],{"id":3263},"where-open-source-helps-in-a-practice","Where open source helps in a practice",[84,3266,3267],{},"The practice management system is usually specialised software. But open source is excellent for a lot of what goes on around it:",[109,3269,3270,3280],{},[112,3271,3272],{},[115,3273,3274,3276,3278],{},[118,3275,668],{},[118,3277,671],{},[118,3279,674],{},[125,3281,3282,3291,3299,3307,3317],{},[115,3283,3284,3287,3289],{},[130,3285,3286],{},"File storage and documents",[130,3288,32],{},[130,3290,686],{},[115,3292,3293,3295,3297],{},[130,3294,691],{},[130,3296,694],{},[130,3298,1341],{},[115,3300,3301,3303,3305],{},[130,3302,282],{},[130,3304,288],{},[130,3306,706],{},[115,3308,3309,3311,3314],{},[130,3310,2570],{},[130,3312,3313],{},"Collabora or ONLYOFFICE",[130,3315,3316],{},"Editing in the browser, in your own system",[115,3318,3319,3321,3323],{},[130,3320,639],{},[130,3322,713],{},[130,3324,3325],{},"Encrypted backups",[84,3327,3328],{},"Especially with health data, it's reassuring to know where everything is – for example on a server in the practice or in a German data centre.",[93,3330,3332],{"id":3331},"a-relaxed-start","A relaxed start",[297,3334,3335,3340,3346,3351,3357],{},[168,3336,3337,3339],{},[88,3338,736],{}," Which devices, programs and services are there?",[168,3341,3342,3345],{},[88,3343,3344],{},"Secure the basics:"," Updates, antivirus, two-factor login, password manager.",[168,3347,3348,3350],{},[88,3349,3233],{}," Regular, encrypted and tested once.",[168,3352,3353,3356],{},[88,3354,3355],{},"Check everyday tools:"," Where are files and messages today?",[168,3358,3359,3362],{},[88,3360,3361],{},"Small training session:"," Half an hour on suspicious emails works wonders.",[93,3364,163],{"id":162},[165,3366,3367,3373,3378,3384],{},[168,3368,3369,3372],{},[88,3370,3371],{},"Special categories of personal data:"," Under the GDPR, these include health data. Particularly high requirements apply to them.",[168,3374,3375,3377],{},[88,3376,773],{}," The secure network of German healthcare, used for things like e-prescriptions and electronic patient records.",[168,3379,3380,3383],{},[88,3381,3382],{},"Network segmentation:"," Dividing a network into separate areas, for example for practice PCs, guest Wi-Fi and medical devices.",[168,3385,3386,3389],{},[88,3387,3388],{},"3-2-1 rule:"," Three copies of your data, on two different media, one of them in another location.",[93,3391,3393],{"id":3392},"an-example-from-a-small-practice","An example from a small practice",[84,3395,3396],{},"A GP practice with seven staff takes a look at its everyday IT. The practice management system runs smoothly, but rotas, forms and internal notes are scattered across individual computers and private messengers. The practice decides on a few simple steps:",[297,3398,3399,3402,3405,3408,3411],{},[168,3400,3401],{},"A Nextcloud on a small server in the practice for forms and rotas.",[168,3403,3404],{},"An encrypted Matrix chat for internal coordination instead of private messengers.",[168,3406,3407],{},"Vaultwarden, so all logins are stored securely in one place.",[168,3409,3410],{},"A guest Wi-Fi that's separate from the practice network.",[168,3412,3413],{},"Encrypted backups following the 3-2-1 rule.",[84,3415,3416],{},"That makes everyday life clearer – and the sensitive data stays where it belongs.",[93,3418,831],{"id":830},[84,3420,3421,3422,331],{},"I'm an IT service provider and external information security officer, but not a legal adviser. What exactly applies in your case is best clarified with your regional physicians' association, your data protection adviser or a lawyer. I'm happy to help with implementation – more under ",[327,3423,456],{"href":455},[93,3425,449],{"id":448},[84,3427,3428],{},"What hospitals do on a large scale works in a small practice too: overview, backups, clear processes and tools where you know where your data is. Open source is a friendly and affordable building block for this.",[84,3430,459,3431,331],{},[327,3432,463],{"href":462},{"title":465,"searchDepth":466,"depth":466,"links":3434},[3435,3436,3437,3438,3439,3440,3441,3442],{"id":3210,"depth":466,"text":3211},{"id":3252,"depth":466,"text":3253},{"id":3263,"depth":466,"text":3264},{"id":3331,"depth":466,"text":3332},{"id":162,"depth":466,"text":163},{"id":3392,"depth":466,"text":3393},{"id":830,"depth":466,"text":831},{"id":448,"depth":466,"text":449},"2026-08-04T00:00:00.000Z","Hospitals invest a lot in secure IT. The ideas behind it and how small medical practices can benefit too, with open source.",[3446,3449,3452],{"q":3447,"a":3448},"Do the same rules apply to practices as to hospitals?","No. Larger hospitals are partly subject to their own requirements, for example from NIS2 or sector-specific security standards. For doctors' and psychotherapy practices in Germany, there's the IT security guideline of the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KBV). But the basic ideas are similar.",{"q":3450,"a":3451},"Which data is particularly worth protecting in a practice?","Above all, patients' health data. Under the GDPR it's one of the specially protected categories of data. That's why it's worth thinking carefully about where it's stored and how it's transmitted.",{"q":3453,"a":3454},"Can I replace my practice management system with open source?","The practice management system is usually specialised software that stays. Open source is great for everything around it, such as file storage, internal communication, calendars and passwords.",{"name":3456,"description":3457,"totalTime":877,"steps":3458},"Setting up IT well in a practice","Four steps to make everyday IT in small practices secure and clear.",[3459,3461,3464,3466],{"name":883,"text":3460},"List all devices, programs and online services in the practice.",{"name":3462,"text":3463},"Basic protection","Set up updates, antivirus, two-factor login and a password manager.",{"name":639,"text":3465},"Set up regular backups, keep a copy separately and test restoring.",{"name":3467,"text":3468},"Everyday tools","For file storage and internal communication, choose a solution where your data lives in a known place.",{"src":3470},"/img/blog/photo-1587351021355-a479a299d2f9.webp",{},"/en/blog/hospital-nis2-microsoft-365-sovereign-cloud-alternative-2026",{"title":3195,"description":3444},"en/3.blog/23.hospital-nis2-microsoft-365-sovereign-cloud-alternative-2026","SgceT2foUuqZ1E3kj8ug0C6IykOKDZS2VuVYT3mROIY",{"id":3477,"title":3478,"authors":3479,"badge":3482,"body":3483,"date":3753,"description":3754,"extension":478,"faq":3755,"howto":3765,"image":3783,"meta":3784,"navigation":509,"path":3785,"seo":3786,"stem":3787,"__hash__":3788},"posts_en/en/3.blog/22.eu-data-act-cloud-switching-microsoft-365-exit-january-2027.md","The EU Data Act Makes Switching Clouds Easier – What You Should Know",[3480],{"name":70,"to":71,"avatar":3481},{"src":73},{"label":908},{"type":77,"value":3484,"toc":3742},[3485,3488,3495,3499,3505,3509,3563,3566,3570,3589,3593,3596,3616,3619,3623,3653,3658,3660,3685,3687,3690,3721,3724,3728,3731,3733,3738],[80,3486,3478],{"id":3487},"the-eu-data-act-makes-switching-clouds-easier-what-you-should-know",[84,3489,3490,3491,3494],{},"If you've ever wanted to switch cloud providers, you know the questions: How do I get my data out? What will it cost? How long will it take? The ",[88,3492,3493],{},"EU Data Act"," brings some really helpful rules here. That's good news for anyone who wants to stay flexible – including small businesses.",[93,3496,3498],{"id":3497},"what-is-the-eu-data-act","What is the EU Data Act?",[84,3500,3501,3502,331],{},"The Data Act is an EU regulation that has applied since September 2025. Among other things, it governs who may access which data, and it has its own chapter on ",[88,3503,3504],{},"switching between cloud providers",[93,3506,3508],{"id":3507},"whats-changing-when-you-switch-clouds","What's changing when you switch clouds",[109,3510,3511,3521],{},[112,3512,3513],{},[115,3514,3515,3518],{},[118,3516,3517],{},"Topic",[118,3519,3520],{},"What the Data Act provides",[125,3522,3523,3533,3543,3553],{},[115,3524,3525,3530],{},[130,3526,3527],{},[88,3528,3529],{},"Notice",[130,3531,3532],{},"Customers should be able to start a switch with a manageable notice period",[115,3534,3535,3540],{},[130,3536,3537],{},[88,3538,3539],{},"Transition",[130,3541,3542],{},"The old provider supports the move during a transition period",[115,3544,3545,3550],{},[130,3546,3547],{},[88,3548,3549],{},"Data export",[130,3551,3552],{},"Data should be handed over in a common, machine-readable format",[115,3554,3555,3560],{},[130,3556,3557],{},[88,3558,3559],{},"Charges",[130,3561,3562],{},"Switching charges are being phased out and generally drop away from 12 January 2027",[84,3564,3565],{},"You'll find the exact rules in the text of the regulation. For assessing your own contract, a legal adviser is the right contact.",[93,3567,3569],{"id":3568},"why-this-is-good-news","Why this is good news",[165,3571,3572,3578,3583],{},[168,3573,3574,3577],{},[88,3575,3576],{},"More freedom:"," It's easier to choose the provider that suits you.",[168,3579,3580,3582],{},[88,3581,1027],{}," A move becomes easier to budget.",[168,3584,3585,3588],{},[88,3586,3587],{},"More competition:"," Providers win customers with good service rather than high switching barriers.",[93,3590,3592],{"id":3591},"what-the-data-act-doesnt-do-for-you","What the Data Act doesn't do for you",[84,3594,3595],{},"The Data Act helps with deadlines, costs and export. A few things are still up to you:",[165,3597,3598,3604,3610],{},[168,3599,3600,3603],{},[88,3601,3602],{},"Formats:"," If your data is in open formats, importing it at the new provider is much easier.",[168,3605,3606,3609],{},[88,3607,3608],{},"Processes:"," Habits, templates and shares need to be set up again in the new system.",[168,3611,3612,3615],{},[88,3613,3614],{},"Planning:"," A good timeline is worth its weight in gold.",[84,3617,3618],{},"This is exactly where open source shines. Nextcloud, Element and friends rely on open standards like WebDAV, CalDAV, CardDAV, IMAP or Matrix. That makes the next switch easier too – should you ever need it.",[93,3620,3622],{"id":3621},"how-to-plan-a-move-the-relaxed-way","How to plan a move the relaxed way",[297,3624,3625,3630,3636,3642,3648],{},[168,3626,3627,3629],{},[88,3628,3221],{}," Which services do you use, and which data is where?",[168,3631,3632,3635],{},[88,3633,3634],{},"Contracts:"," Note terms and notice periods.",[168,3637,3638,3641],{},[88,3639,3640],{},"Trial export:"," Export everything once and take a look.",[168,3643,3644,3647],{},[88,3645,3646],{},"Choose a target:"," For example an open-source platform in a European data centre.",[168,3649,3650,3652],{},[88,3651,2631],{}," Move one area at a time and work in parallel for a while.",[84,3654,3655,3656,331],{},"You'll find an overview of possible target solutions under ",[327,3657,330],{"href":329},[93,3659,163],{"id":162},[165,3661,3662,3668,3674,3680],{},[168,3663,3664,3667],{},[88,3665,3666],{},"Switching charges:"," Fees a provider charges for switching to another provider or taking your data with you.",[168,3669,3670,3673],{},[88,3671,3672],{},"Egress fees:"," Costs for transferring data out of a data centre.",[168,3675,3676,3679],{},[88,3677,3678],{},"Transition period:"," The time during which the old provider still supports the move and the service keeps running.",[168,3681,3682,3684],{},[88,3683,178],{}," Different systems can exchange data and work together.",[93,3686,335],{"id":334},[84,3688,3689],{},"A trades business with twelve people wants to move its file storage to a Nextcloud with a German hosting provider. Here's how it goes about it:",[297,3691,3692,3698,3703,3709,3715],{},[168,3693,3694,3697],{},[88,3695,3696],{},"Check the contract:"," The notice period of the current service is noted.",[168,3699,3700,3702],{},[88,3701,3640],{}," One folder is exported as a test and copied into the new Nextcloud.",[168,3704,3705,3708],{},[88,3706,3707],{},"Keep the structure:"," Folders and shares are set up so everyone finds their way right away.",[168,3710,3711,3714],{},[88,3712,3713],{},"Parallel phase:"," For two weeks, everyone works in both systems; new files already go into Nextcloud.",[168,3716,3717,3720],{},[88,3718,3719],{},"Finish the move:"," The rest is transferred and the old service is cancelled.",[84,3722,3723],{},"Because the files are ordinary folders and documents, the move is mostly a matter of planning – not technology.",[93,3725,3727],{"id":3726},"how-to-make-your-next-switch-easy","How to make your next switch easy",[84,3729,3730],{},"When you choose a new solution, make sure it uses open standards and offers a simple export. Then even the switch after next won't be a problem.",[93,3732,449],{"id":448},[84,3734,3735,3736,331],{},"The EU Data Act makes switching clouds easier and fairer. If you also keep your data in open formats, you'll stay flexible for good. If you're thinking about a move, feel free to have a look at ",[327,3737,456],{"href":455},[84,3739,459,3740,331],{},[327,3741,463],{"href":462},{"title":465,"searchDepth":466,"depth":466,"links":3743},[3744,3745,3746,3747,3748,3749,3750,3751,3752],{"id":3497,"depth":466,"text":3498},{"id":3507,"depth":466,"text":3508},{"id":3568,"depth":466,"text":3569},{"id":3591,"depth":466,"text":3592},{"id":3621,"depth":466,"text":3622},{"id":162,"depth":466,"text":163},{"id":334,"depth":466,"text":335},{"id":3726,"depth":466,"text":3727},{"id":448,"depth":466,"text":449},"2026-07-28T00:00:00.000Z","The EU Data Act makes it easier to change cloud providers. What's changing and how to plan a move in a relaxed way.",[3756,3759,3762],{"q":3757,"a":3758},"What does the EU Data Act say about switching cloud providers?","The Data Act contains rules meant to make switching between cloud providers easier. These include clear notice and transition periods, support with data export and the gradual removal of switching charges.",{"q":3760,"a":3761},"When do switching charges go away?","Under the Data Act, switching charges, including data transfer fees for switching, are generally to be dropped from 12 January 2027. Until then, providers may charge at most their actual costs.",{"q":3763,"a":3764},"Does that mean a move automatically becomes easy?","The Data Act mainly helps with deadlines, costs and data export. How easy a move really is also depends on whether the data is in open formats and whether the new software can import it well.",{"name":3766,"description":3767,"totalTime":3768,"steps":3769},"Planning a cloud switch the relaxed way","Five steps from taking stock to your new provider.","P8W",[3770,3772,3775,3777,3780],{"name":883,"text":3771},"Write down which cloud services are used and what data they hold.",{"name":3773,"text":3774},"Look at contracts","Note notice periods and terms of your existing contracts.",{"name":3182,"text":3776},"Do a trial export of your data and check that everything is complete.",{"name":3778,"text":3779},"Choose a target","Pick a new solution, for example an open-source platform with a European provider.",{"name":3781,"text":3782},"Move step by step","Move one area at a time and work in parallel for a while before cancelling the old service.",{"src":2841},{},"/en/blog/eu-data-act-cloud-switching-microsoft-365-exit-january-2027",{"title":3478,"description":3754},"en/3.blog/22.eu-data-act-cloud-switching-microsoft-365-exit-january-2027","0V1rABCL5HikqQ4DuzWDPc-5zcxPY7UYMEdRfLwpCx0",{"id":3790,"title":3791,"authors":3792,"badge":3795,"body":3796,"date":4022,"description":4023,"extension":478,"faq":4024,"howto":4034,"image":4050,"meta":4052,"navigation":509,"path":4053,"seo":4054,"stem":4055,"__hash__":4056},"posts_en/en/3.blog/19.cyber-resilience-act-september-2026-microsoft-smes-public-sector.md","The Cyber Resilience Act, Simply Explained – Safer Software for All",[3793],{"name":70,"to":71,"avatar":3794},{"src":73},{"label":908},{"type":77,"value":3797,"toc":4012},[3798,3801,3808,3812,3815,3841,3844,3848,3855,3866,3870,3873,3877,3903,3907,3912,3914,3946,3950,3953,3998,4001,4003,4008],[80,3799,3791],{"id":3800},"the-cyber-resilience-act-simply-explained-safer-software-for-all",[84,3802,3803,3804,3807],{},"Software and connected devices are everywhere – in the office, in the practice and at home. With the ",[88,3805,3806],{},"Cyber Resilience Act (CRA)",", the EU is making sure such products are more secure from the start and that security holes get fixed quickly. For you as a user, that's really good news.",[93,3809,3811],{"id":3810},"what-does-the-cra-cover","What does the CRA cover?",[84,3813,3814],{},"The CRA is an EU regulation that entered into force at the end of 2024 and takes effect step by step. It applies to \"products with digital elements\" – software and devices that connect to other devices or the internet. The key points:",[165,3816,3817,3823,3829,3835],{},[168,3818,3819,3822],{},[88,3820,3821],{},"Security from the start:"," Products should be developed and shipped securely.",[168,3824,3825,3828],{},[88,3826,3827],{},"Security updates:"," Manufacturers must provide updates for an appropriate period.",[168,3830,3831,3834],{},[88,3832,3833],{},"Reporting obligations:"," Manufacturers must report actively exploited vulnerabilities and serious incidents. These obligations apply from September 2026.",[168,3836,3837,3840],{},[88,3838,3839],{},"Transparency:"," Users should be told how long updates will be available.",[84,3842,3843],{},"The full requirements then apply from the end of 2027.",[93,3845,3847],{"id":3846},"who-does-the-cra-affect","Who does the CRA affect?",[84,3849,3850,3851,3854],{},"The obligations are on ",[88,3852,3853],{},"manufacturers, importers and distributors",". If you only use software or devices, you don't have to report anything. But you benefit:",[165,3856,3857,3860,3863],{},[168,3858,3859],{},"You get clearer information about updates.",[168,3861,3862],{},"Security holes are closed faster.",[168,3864,3865],{},"You can compare products better when buying.",[93,3867,3869],{"id":3868},"and-open-source","And open source?",[84,3871,3872],{},"The CRA takes open source into account. Anyone who develops and shares open-source software without commercial intent generally doesn't fall under the full manufacturer obligations. Foundations and organisations that support open-source projects on an ongoing basis have their own role with lighter obligations. Many large open-source projects already have good processes for reporting and fixing security issues.",[93,3874,3876],{"id":3875},"what-can-you-actually-do","What can you actually do?",[297,3878,3879,3885,3891,3897],{},[168,3880,3881,3884],{},[88,3882,3883],{},"Get an overview:"," Which programs and connected devices do you use?",[168,3886,3887,3890],{},[88,3888,3889],{},"Turn on updates:"," Automatically where possible, otherwise regularly.",[168,3892,3893,3896],{},[88,3894,3895],{},"Ask when buying:"," How long will there be security updates?",[168,3898,3899,3902],{},[88,3900,3901],{},"Replace old devices:"," When there are no more updates, it's time for something new.",[93,3904,3906],{"id":3905},"how-open-source-helps","How open source helps",[84,3908,3909,3910,331],{},"With open-source software like Nextcloud, Element or Vaultwarden, you can follow security notices and updates publicly. And because you decide where the software runs, updates are in your hands too – or your provider installs them for you. You'll find more alternatives under ",[327,3911,330],{"href":329},[93,3913,163],{"id":162},[165,3915,3916,3922,3928,3934,3940],{},[168,3917,3918,3921],{},[88,3919,3920],{},"Product with digital elements:"," Software or hardware that can be connected to other devices or networks.",[168,3923,3924,3927],{},[88,3925,3926],{},"Vulnerability:"," A flaw in software that attackers could exploit.",[168,3929,3930,3933],{},[88,3931,3932],{},"Actively exploited vulnerability:"," A flaw for which there are signs that it's already being used in attacks.",[168,3935,3936,3939],{},[88,3937,3938],{},"Support period:"," The time span during which the manufacturer provides security updates.",[168,3941,3942,3945],{},[88,3943,3944],{},"SBOM (software bill of materials):"," A parts list of the components a piece of software is made of.",[93,3947,3949],{"id":3948},"what-to-look-for-when-you-next-buy-something","What to look for when you next buy something",[84,3951,3952],{},"Whether router, printer, camera or software – a few questions help you choose:",[109,3954,3955,3964],{},[112,3956,3957],{},[115,3958,3959,3961],{},[118,3960,1943],{},[118,3962,3963],{},"Why it helps",[125,3965,3966,3974,3982,3990],{},[115,3967,3968,3971],{},[130,3969,3970],{},"How long will there be security updates?",[130,3972,3973],{},"The longer, the longer you can use the product safely",[115,3975,3976,3979],{},[130,3977,3978],{},"Do updates install automatically?",[130,3980,3981],{},"Saves work and closes gaps faster",[115,3983,3984,3987],{},[130,3985,3986],{},"Is there a contact for security reports?",[130,3988,3989],{},"Shows the manufacturer takes the topic seriously",[115,3991,3992,3995],{},[130,3993,3994],{},"Can the default password be changed?",[130,3996,3997],{},"Basic protection that sadly isn't a given everywhere",[84,3999,4000],{},"This is especially worth checking with inexpensive connected devices – a device without updates can become the weak spot in your whole network.",[93,4002,449],{"id":448},[84,4004,4005,4006,331],{},"The Cyber Resilience Act makes software and devices safer for everyone. For you, it mainly means: keep an eye on updates and ask about the support period when buying. If you'd like an assessment, have a look at ",[327,4007,456],{"href":455},[84,4009,459,4010,331],{},[327,4011,463],{"href":462},{"title":465,"searchDepth":466,"depth":466,"links":4013},[4014,4015,4016,4017,4018,4019,4020,4021],{"id":3810,"depth":466,"text":3811},{"id":3846,"depth":466,"text":3847},{"id":3868,"depth":466,"text":3869},{"id":3875,"depth":466,"text":3876},{"id":3905,"depth":466,"text":3906},{"id":162,"depth":466,"text":163},{"id":3948,"depth":466,"text":3949},{"id":448,"depth":466,"text":449},"2026-07-07T00:00:00.000Z","The Cyber Resilience Act brings more security to software and connected devices. What it covers and what it means for your everyday life.",[4025,4028,4031],{"q":4026,"a":4027},"What is the Cyber Resilience Act?","The Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) is an EU regulation that sets minimum cybersecurity standards for products with digital elements. That includes software and connected devices.",{"q":4029,"a":4030},"Do I have to report anything as a software user?","No. The CRA's reporting and security obligations are aimed at manufacturers, importers and distributors. As a user, you benefit from better security and clearer information about updates.",{"q":4032,"a":4033},"What does the CRA mean for open source?","The CRA gives open source special consideration. Anyone who develops and shares open-source software without commercial intent generally doesn't fall under the full manufacturer obligations. Organisations that support open-source projects on an ongoing basis have their own, lighter role.",{"name":4035,"description":4036,"totalTime":3170,"steps":4037},"Keeping an eye on software security day to day","Four simple steps to benefit from more secure software.",[4038,4041,4044,4047],{"name":4039,"text":4040},"List devices and programs","Note which software and connected devices are used in your business or at home.",{"name":4042,"text":4043},"Turn on updates","Enable automatic updates wherever possible and schedule a fixed monthly slot for the rest.",{"name":4045,"text":4046},"Mind support periods","When buying new devices or software, check how long security updates will be provided.",{"name":4048,"text":4049},"Replace old systems","Swap out devices and programs that no longer get updates in good time.",{"src":4051},"/img/blog/photo-1550751827-4bd374c3f58b.webp",{},"/en/blog/cyber-resilience-act-september-2026-microsoft-smes-public-sector",{"title":3791,"description":4023},"en/3.blog/19.cyber-resilience-act-september-2026-microsoft-smes-public-sector","aQHBtW33FUKvSfqiWhIdqRbYixD5OgkHEE0D9NZEy9s",{"id":4058,"title":4059,"authors":4060,"badge":4063,"body":4064,"date":4336,"description":4337,"extension":478,"faq":4338,"howto":4348,"image":4363,"meta":4365,"navigation":509,"path":4366,"seo":4367,"stem":4368,"__hash__":4369},"posts_en/en/3.blog/18.eu-ai-act-microsoft-copilot-smes-august-2026.md","The EU AI Act for Small Businesses – Using AI at Work, Relaxed",[4061],{"name":70,"to":71,"avatar":4062},{"src":73},{"label":75},{"type":77,"value":4065,"toc":4326},[4066,4069,4076,4080,4086,4147,4150,4154,4165,4178,4181,4183,4203,4207,4232,4236,4255,4259,4262,4288,4291,4295,4315,4317,4322],[80,4067,4059],{"id":4068},"the-eu-ai-act-for-small-businesses-using-ai-at-work-relaxed",[84,4070,4071,4072,4075],{},"AI tools like Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT or open models have arrived in everyday office life. At the same time, the ",[88,4073,4074],{},"EU AI Act"," introduces uniform rules for artificial intelligence in Europe for the first time. Sounds like a lot of bureaucracy? For most small businesses it's manageable. Here's what it's about.",[93,4077,4079],{"id":4078},"the-ai-act-in-brief","The AI Act in brief",[84,4081,4082,4083,4085],{},"The AI Act is an EU regulation that entered into force in 2024. Its rules take effect ",[88,4084,1038],{},". The basic idea: the higher the risk of an AI application, the stricter the requirements.",[109,4087,4088,4101],{},[112,4089,4090],{},[115,4091,4092,4095,4098],{},[118,4093,4094],{},"Risk level",[118,4096,4097],{},"Examples",[118,4099,4100],{},"What applies",[125,4102,4103,4114,4125,4136],{},[115,4104,4105,4108,4111],{},[130,4106,4107],{},"Unacceptable risk",[130,4109,4110],{},"certain forms of manipulation",[130,4112,4113],{},"prohibited",[115,4115,4116,4119,4122],{},[130,4117,4118],{},"High risk",[130,4120,4121],{},"AI in decisions about people in sensitive areas",[130,4123,4124],{},"strict requirements",[115,4126,4127,4130,4133],{},[130,4128,4129],{},"Limited risk",[130,4131,4132],{},"chatbots, AI-generated content",[130,4134,4135],{},"transparency obligations",[115,4137,4138,4141,4144],{},[130,4139,4140],{},"Minimal risk",[130,4142,4143],{},"spell checkers, text suggestions",[130,4145,4146],{},"hardly any rules",[84,4148,4149],{},"Typical office tasks – drafting texts, summarising emails, brainstorming – are usually at the lower end.",[93,4151,4153],{"id":4152},"who-has-to-do-what","Who has to do what?",[84,4155,4156,4157,4160,4161,4164],{},"The AI Act distinguishes between ",[88,4158,4159],{},"providers",", who develop AI systems, and ",[88,4162,4163],{},"deployers",", who use them. Most obligations are on the providers. For businesses that use AI, two points are especially relevant:",[165,4166,4167,4173],{},[168,4168,4169,4172],{},[88,4170,4171],{},"AI literacy:"," Your team should know how the tools work, where their limits are and what to watch out for.",[168,4174,4175,4177],{},[88,4176,3839],{}," In certain cases it should be clear that content was created with AI or that someone is talking to an AI.",[84,4179,4180],{},"For the exact obligations in your case, please talk to a legal adviser – I'll support you with the practical side.",[93,4182,163],{"id":162},[165,4184,4185,4191,4197],{},[168,4186,4187,4190],{},[88,4188,4189],{},"AI system:"," Software that generates outputs like texts, suggestions or decisions from inputs.",[168,4192,4193,4196],{},[88,4194,4195],{},"General-purpose AI (GPAI):"," Large models that can be used for lots of different tasks.",[168,4198,4199,4202],{},[88,4200,4201],{},"Deployer:"," Whoever uses an AI system in their own business.",[93,4204,4206],{"id":4205},"practical-tips-for-everyday-use","Practical tips for everyday use",[297,4208,4209,4215,4220,4226],{},[168,4210,4211,4214],{},[88,4212,4213],{},"Short training:"," Spend an hour trying things out together and talking about strengths and limits.",[168,4216,4217,4219],{},[88,4218,2017],{}," AI can be wrong. Always double-check important texts and numbers.",[168,4221,4222,4225],{},[88,4223,4224],{},"Protect sensitive data:"," Don't enter health, client or HR data without a clear basis.",[168,4227,4228,4231],{},[88,4229,4230],{},"Document briefly:"," One page is enough: which tools, what for, with which rules.",[93,4233,4235],{"id":4234},"the-open-option-ai-on-your-own-server","The open option: AI on your own server",[84,4237,4238,4239,4242,4243,4246,4247,4250,4251,4254],{},"If you handle sensitive data, a local AI is a nice option. With open models and tools like ",[88,4240,4241],{},"Ollama",", ",[88,4244,4245],{},"Open WebUI"," or the ",[88,4248,4249],{},"Nextcloud Assistant",", the assistant runs on your own hardware. Your data then doesn't leave your premises. With me, a ",[88,4252,4253],{},"local AI"," is in the works for this.",[93,4256,4258],{"id":4257},"an-example-from-a-small-agency","An example from a small agency",[84,4260,4261],{},"An advertising agency with six people uses AI for text drafts and ideas. In one hour, it goes through the main points:",[297,4263,4264,4270,4276,4282],{},[168,4265,4266,4269],{},[88,4267,4268],{},"Which tools?"," A chat assistant for texts and an image generator for first sketches.",[168,4271,4272,4275],{},[88,4273,4274],{},"What's allowed?"," General texts, ideas, drafts. No client data from confidential projects.",[168,4277,4278,4281],{},[88,4279,4280],{},"How are results checked?"," Every text gets a second pair of eyes before publication.",[168,4283,4284,4287],{},[88,4285,4286],{},"How is it labelled?"," Where necessary, it's made clear that content was created with AI.",[84,4289,4290],{},"The result fits on one page and is reviewed once a year. The team feels more confident – and uses the tools more relaxed than before.",[93,4292,4294],{"id":4293},"common-misconceptions","Common misconceptions",[165,4296,4297,4303,4309],{},[168,4298,4299,4302],{},[88,4300,4301],{},"\"We have to get every AI use approved.\""," For typical office uses, that's generally not the case.",[168,4304,4305,4308],{},[88,4306,4307],{},"\"Local AI is always worse.\""," For many everyday tasks, open models deliver very good results.",[168,4310,4311,4314],{},[88,4312,4313],{},"\"The AI Act bans ChatGPT and friends.\""," No. It sets rules, mainly for providers and for particularly risky uses.",[93,4316,449],{"id":448},[84,4318,4319,4320,331],{},"The AI Act sets clear ground rules – and for small businesses the effort is manageable. With a bit of know-how in the team, a few simple rules and tools that suit you, you can use AI with peace of mind. I also offer a joint introduction to AI tools as a ",[327,4321,1110],{"href":1109},[84,4323,459,4324,331],{},[327,4325,463],{"href":462},{"title":465,"searchDepth":466,"depth":466,"links":4327},[4328,4329,4330,4331,4332,4333,4334,4335],{"id":4078,"depth":466,"text":4079},{"id":4152,"depth":466,"text":4153},{"id":162,"depth":466,"text":163},{"id":4205,"depth":466,"text":4206},{"id":4234,"depth":466,"text":4235},{"id":4257,"depth":466,"text":4258},{"id":4293,"depth":466,"text":4294},{"id":448,"depth":466,"text":449},"2026-06-30T00:00:00.000Z","The EU AI Act sets rules for AI. What it means for Copilot, ChatGPT and friends in everyday office work and how to approach it calmly.",[4339,4342,4345],{"q":4340,"a":4341},"What is the EU AI Act?","The AI Act is an EU regulation on artificial intelligence. It entered into force in 2024 and takes effect step by step. It classifies AI applications by risk and sets different requirements depending on the use.",{"q":4343,"a":4344},"Does the AI Act affect me if I only use Copilot or ChatGPT?","Most obligations are aimed at the providers of AI systems. If you use AI in your business, you should mainly make sure your team knows its way around the tools and, for certain uses, make it clear that AI is involved. For the details of your case, a legal adviser is the right contact.",{"q":4346,"a":4347},"Does writing office texts with AI count as high risk?","Usually not. High risk mainly covers applications in particularly sensitive areas, such as decisions about people. Typical office tasks like drafting or summarising texts generally don't fall into that category.",{"name":4349,"description":4350,"totalTime":492,"steps":4351},"Setting up AI well in a small business","Four simple steps to use AI tools in your team mindfully and in an organised way.",[4352,4355,4358,4361],{"name":4353,"text":4354},"Overview","Note which AI tools the team uses and what for.",{"name":4356,"text":4357},"Short training","Get the team familiar with the tools, their strengths and their limits in a small session.",{"name":4359,"text":4360},"Write down rules","Put on one page which data may go into AI tools and when results get checked.",{"name":2516,"text":4362},"Once a year, check whether the rules still fit and whether new tools have been added.",{"src":4364},"/img/blog/photo-1620712943543-bcc4688e7485.webp",{},"/en/blog/eu-ai-act-microsoft-copilot-smes-august-2026",{"title":4059,"description":4337},"en/3.blog/18.eu-ai-act-microsoft-copilot-smes-august-2026","QcUtpyRbUB1n02hfhy6A5IxS9l_lHZCJfdlCz1IvX9g",{"id":4371,"title":4372,"authors":4373,"badge":4376,"body":4377,"date":4626,"description":4627,"extension":478,"faq":4628,"howto":4638,"image":4654,"meta":4656,"navigation":509,"path":4657,"seo":4658,"stem":4659,"__hash__":4660},"posts_en/en/3.blog/16.euro-office-microsoft-365-alternative-2026.md","Euro-Office and Friends – Open-Source Office Alternatives at a Glance",[4374],{"name":70,"to":71,"avatar":4375},{"src":73},{"label":1599},{"type":77,"value":4378,"toc":4611},[4379,4382,4389,4393,4396,4399,4402,4405,4408,4411,4414,4417,4419,4507,4511,4521,4525,4545,4549,4552,4556,4588,4590,4593,4595,4607],[80,4380,4372],{"id":4381},"euro-office-and-friends-open-source-office-alternatives-at-a-glance",[84,4383,4384,4385,4388],{},"There's now a really good choice of open-source programs for texts, spreadsheets and presentations. ",[88,4386,4387],{},"Euro-Office"," is a new addition – a project several European companies are working on together. That's nice news for anyone looking for an alternative to Microsoft Office. Here's an overview of the options.",[93,4390,4392],{"id":4391},"the-candidates","The candidates",[1281,4394,2573],{"id":4395},"libreoffice",[84,4397,4398],{},"The classic for your computer. LibreOffice runs on Windows, macOS and Linux and is completely free. It can do a lot and is maintained by a large community. Ideal if you mostly work on documents on your own.",[1281,4400,962],{"id":4401},"collabora-online",[84,4403,4404],{},"Collabora brings LibreOffice to the browser. Several people can work on a document at the same time. It connects nicely with Nextcloud and is used in openDesk, for example.",[1281,4406,40],{"id":4407},"onlyoffice",[84,4409,4410],{},"ONLYOFFICE has an interface that feels familiar to many Microsoft Office users. It works with DOCX, XLSX and PPTX by default and can also be integrated into Nextcloud.",[1281,4412,4387],{"id":4413},"euro-office",[84,4415,4416],{},"Euro-Office is a new project being driven forward jointly by European open-source providers. The goal is a browser-based office suite that fits well into existing platforms like Nextcloud. It'll be exciting to see how the project develops.",[93,4418,1318],{"id":1317},[109,4420,4421,4435],{},[112,4422,4423],{},[115,4424,4425,4427,4429,4431,4433],{},[118,4426],{},[118,4428,2573],{},[118,4430,962],{},[118,4432,40],{},[118,4434,4387],{},[125,4436,4437,4453,4466,4481,4495],{},[115,4438,4439,4442,4445,4448,4451],{},[130,4440,4441],{},"Runs",[130,4443,4444],{},"on your computer",[130,4446,4447],{},"in the browser",[130,4449,4450],{},"in the browser and on your computer",[130,4452,4447],{},[115,4454,4455,4458,4460,4462,4464],{},[130,4456,4457],{},"Co-editing",[130,4459,1372],{},[130,4461,1344],{},[130,4463,1344],{},[130,4465,1344],{},[115,4467,4468,4471,4474,4476,4479],{},[130,4469,4470],{},"Default format",[130,4472,4473],{},"ODF",[130,4475,4473],{},[130,4477,4478],{},"OOXML (DOCX etc.)",[130,4480,4478],{},[115,4482,4483,4486,4489,4491,4493],{},[130,4484,4485],{},"With Nextcloud",[130,4487,4488],{},"via sync folder",[130,4490,1344],{},[130,4492,1344],{},[130,4494,1344],{},[115,4496,4497,4499,4501,4503,4505],{},[130,4498,1355],{},[130,4500,1344],{},[130,4502,1344],{},[130,4504,1344],{},[130,4506,1344],{},[93,4508,4510],{"id":4509},"briefly-explained-odf-and-ooxml","Briefly explained: ODF and OOXML",[84,4512,4513,4514,4516,4517,4520],{},"Office documents can be saved in different formats. ",[88,4515,4473],{}," (extensions like .odt, .ods) is an open standard and LibreOffice's home format. ",[88,4518,4519],{},"OOXML"," (extensions like .docx, .xlsx) is Microsoft Office's format and is also standardised. All the programs mentioned here can handle both. If you exchange a lot of files with people who use Microsoft Office, DOCX is usually the most convenient.",[93,4522,4524],{"id":4523},"what-suits-whom","What suits whom?",[165,4526,4527,4533,4539],{},[168,4528,4529,4532],{},[88,4530,4531],{},"Individuals and families:"," LibreOffice on your computer is often all you need.",[168,4534,4535,4538],{},[88,4536,4537],{},"Small teams:"," Collabora or ONLYOFFICE in your own Nextcloud – then you can work together in the browser.",[168,4540,4541,4544],{},[88,4542,4543],{},"Law firms and practices:"," An online option on your own server, so confidential documents stay in-house.",[93,4546,4548],{"id":4547},"to-be-honest","To be honest",[84,4550,4551],{},"Very complex documents with macros or special layouts sometimes look a bit different in other programs. That's why a quick test with your own templates is worthwhile. For normal letters, spreadsheets and presentations, though, it works really well.",[93,4553,4555],{"id":4554},"tips-for-switching","Tips for switching",[165,4557,4558,4564,4570,4576,4582],{},[168,4559,4560,4563],{},[88,4561,4562],{},"Templates first:"," Set up letterheads, invoice and quote templates properly in the new program once. It saves a lot of time later.",[168,4565,4566,4569],{},[88,4567,4568],{},"Check fonts:"," If documents look different, it's often because of missing fonts. These can usually be installed easily.",[168,4571,4572,4575],{},[88,4573,4574],{},"Agree on a default format:"," Decide together whether you'll use DOCX or ODF as your standard.",[168,4577,4578,4581],{},[88,4579,4580],{},"PDF for sending:"," For documents that should look exactly the way you designed them, PDF is always a good choice.",[168,4583,4584,4587],{},[88,4585,4586],{},"Keyboard shortcuts:"," Many shortcuts are the same as in Microsoft Office – which makes getting used to it easier.",[93,4589,335],{"id":334},[84,4591,4592],{},"A small engineering firm works with lots of quotes and spreadsheets. It first installs LibreOffice on all computers and uses it for new documents. At the same time, online office is set up in Nextcloud so colleagues can work on calculations together. After a few weeks, the most important templates have been converted. Old files simply stay as they are and can be opened when needed.",[93,4594,449],{"id":448},[84,4596,4597,4598,4601,4602,4604,4605,331],{},"The choice of open-source office programs is big, and Euro-Office adds another project. With me, office documents run directly in your own ",[88,4599,4600],{},"cloud"," – more under ",[327,4603,1537],{"href":1536},". And you'll find more alternatives under ",[327,4606,330],{"href":329},[84,4608,459,4609,331],{},[327,4610,463],{"href":462},{"title":465,"searchDepth":466,"depth":466,"links":4612},[4613,4619,4620,4621,4622,4623,4624,4625],{"id":4391,"depth":466,"text":4392,"children":4614},[4615,4616,4617,4618],{"id":4395,"depth":1547,"text":2573},{"id":4401,"depth":1547,"text":962},{"id":4407,"depth":1547,"text":40},{"id":4413,"depth":1547,"text":4387},{"id":1317,"depth":466,"text":1318},{"id":4509,"depth":466,"text":4510},{"id":4523,"depth":466,"text":4524},{"id":4547,"depth":466,"text":4548},{"id":4554,"depth":466,"text":4555},{"id":334,"depth":466,"text":335},{"id":448,"depth":466,"text":449},"2026-06-16T00:00:00.000Z","Euro-Office is a new European office project. Here's an overview of open-source office programs and which one suits whom.",[4629,4632,4635],{"q":4630,"a":4631},"What is Euro-Office?","Euro-Office is a new open-source project for office documents in the browser, with several European companies involved. It builds on existing open-source technology and is meant to fit well into platforms like Nextcloud.",{"q":4633,"a":4634},"Can I open my Word and Excel files with open-source office software?","Yes. LibreOffice, Collabora, ONLYOFFICE and Euro-Office can open and save DOCX, XLSX and PPTX. Very complex documents with macros or special layouts can show small differences, so it's worth testing with your own files.",{"q":4636,"a":4637},"What's the difference between ODF and OOXML?","Both are open file formats for office documents. ODF (for example .odt) is LibreOffice's default format. OOXML (for example .docx) is the format Microsoft Office uses. Modern open-source programs handle both.",{"name":4639,"description":4640,"totalTime":492,"steps":4641},"Trying an open-source office program","How to find out which office program suits you.",[4642,4645,4648,4651],{"name":4643,"text":4644},"Collect typical documents","Pick out a few files you work with often, such as letter templates, spreadsheets and presentations.",{"name":4646,"text":4647},"Test the programs","Open and edit the files in LibreOffice or in an online option like Collabora or ONLYOFFICE.",{"name":4649,"text":4650},"Try collaborating","Edit a document together with a colleague in the browser.",{"name":4652,"text":4653},"Decide","Choose the program that feels best and adjust templates if needed.",{"src":4655},"/img/blog/photo-1497032628192-86f99bcd76bc.webp",{},"/en/blog/euro-office-microsoft-365-alternative-2026",{"title":4372,"description":4627},"en/3.blog/16.euro-office-microsoft-365-alternative-2026","rTUS3bKEioOW18YOkm90bmqF8bqAvpDAZlnW7cA5qos",{"id":4662,"title":4663,"authors":4664,"badge":4667,"body":4668,"date":4898,"description":4899,"extension":478,"faq":4900,"howto":54,"image":4910,"meta":4912,"navigation":509,"path":4913,"seo":4914,"stem":4915,"__hash__":4916},"posts_en/en/3.blog/15.cada-eu-tech-sovereignty-package-public-sector-2026.md","Europe Bets on Cloud and Open Source – What It Means for You",[4665],{"name":70,"to":71,"avatar":4666},{"src":73},{"label":908},{"type":77,"value":4669,"toc":4888},[4670,4673,4680,4684,4687,4713,4716,4720,4723,4727,4730,4773,4777,4780,4804,4809,4811,4837,4841,4844,4870,4874,4877,4879,4884],[80,4671,4663],{"id":4672},"europe-bets-on-cloud-and-open-source-what-it-means-for-you",[84,4674,4675,4676,4679],{},"The European Commission is looking closely at how cloud services, AI and open source can keep growing in Europe. There are several initiatives on this, including the ",[88,4677,4678],{},"Cloud and AI Development Act (CADA)",". At first, that sounds far removed from everyday office life. But a few of the ideas behind it are interesting for small businesses too.",[93,4681,4683],{"id":4682},"roughly-what-is-it-about","Roughly, what is it about?",[84,4685,4686],{},"The initiatives revolve around a few core themes:",[165,4688,4689,4695,4701,4707],{},[168,4690,4691,4694],{},[88,4692,4693],{},"More data centres in Europe",", so there's enough capacity for cloud and AI",[168,4696,4697,4700],{},[88,4698,4699],{},"Clear criteria"," for judging how independent a cloud offering is",[168,4702,4703,4706],{},[88,4704,4705],{},"More open source",", because open software encourages diversity and choice",[168,4708,4709,4712],{},[88,4710,4711],{},"Better cooperation"," between European providers",[84,4714,4715],{},"Many details are still being worked out. EU legislative processes usually take quite a while, and it often takes years before new rules actually apply.",[93,4717,4719],{"id":4718},"what-does-this-mean-for-providers-and-public-bodies","What does this mean for providers and public bodies?",[84,4721,4722],{},"Rules like these are aimed first at cloud providers and at public institutions that buy IT. In future, they may get helpful criteria for comparing offerings – for example where data is stored and how easy it is to switch providers.",[93,4724,4726],{"id":4725},"and-what-does-it-mean-for-you","And what does it mean for you?",[84,4728,4729],{},"For small businesses, law firms, practices and families, nothing changes for now. Still, the thinking behind it is useful on a small scale too. A few questions you can ask yourself:",[109,4731,4732,4740],{},[112,4733,4734],{},[115,4735,4736,4738],{},[118,4737,1943],{},[118,4739,3963],{},[125,4741,4742,4749,4757,4765],{},[115,4743,4744,4746],{},[130,4745,2916],{},[130,4747,4748],{},"You know which legal framework applies",[115,4750,4751,4754],{},[130,4752,4753],{},"Can I export my data?",[130,4755,4756],{},"You stay flexible",[115,4758,4759,4762],{},[130,4760,4761],{},"Do I use open formats?",[130,4763,4764],{},"Your files also work with other programs",[115,4766,4767,4770],{},[130,4768,4769],{},"Is there an alternative?",[130,4771,4772],{},"You're not dependent on a single provider",[93,4774,4776],{"id":4775},"what-open-source-contributes","What open source contributes",[84,4778,4779],{},"Open-source software can be run with lots of different providers – or by yourself. That automatically gives you choice. A few examples that are already in reliable use today:",[165,4781,4782,4787,4792,4799],{},[168,4783,4784,4786],{},[88,4785,32],{}," for files, calendar and contacts",[168,4788,4789,4791],{},[88,4790,277],{}," for chat and video calls",[168,4793,4794,2044,4796,4798],{},[88,4795,2043],{},[88,4797,40],{}," for office documents",[168,4800,4801,4803],{},[88,4802,288],{}," for passwords",[84,4805,4806,4807,331],{},"You'll find more ideas under ",[327,4808,330],{"href":329},[93,4810,163],{"id":162},[165,4812,4813,4819,4825,4831],{},[168,4814,4815,4818],{},[88,4816,4817],{},"Regulation:"," An EU law that applies directly in all member states.",[168,4820,4821,4824],{},[88,4822,4823],{},"Directive:"," An EU law that member states first transpose into their own law.",[168,4826,4827,4830],{},[88,4828,4829],{},"Legislative process:"," The path from a Commission proposal through deliberations in Parliament and Council to the finished law.",[168,4832,4833,4836],{},[88,4834,4835],{},"Cloud sovereignty:"," The ability to decide for yourself where and how data is processed in the cloud – and to be able to switch providers.",[93,4838,4840],{"id":4839},"what-you-can-already-do-today","What you can already do today",[84,4842,4843],{},"You don't have to wait for new rules to put the basic ideas into practice. A few simple steps:",[297,4845,4846,4852,4858,4864],{},[168,4847,4848,4851],{},[88,4849,4850],{},"Note data locations:"," For each service, record which country the data is stored in.",[168,4853,4854,4857],{},[88,4855,4856],{},"Test export routes:"," Try once how you get your data out.",[168,4859,4860,4863],{},[88,4861,4862],{},"Use open formats:"," Save documents, calendars and contacts in formats many programs can read.",[168,4865,4866,4869],{},[88,4867,4868],{},"Try one building block:"," For example a Nextcloud with a European provider.",[93,4871,4873],{"id":4872},"a-look-at-the-bigger-picture","A look at the bigger picture",[84,4875,4876],{},"The fact that the EU is looking so closely at cloud and open source shows one thing above all: open software is no longer a niche. It's seen as an important building block for a diverse, competitive IT landscape. In the end, everyone benefits – including small businesses that want more choice and fair terms.",[93,4878,449],{"id":448},[84,4880,4881,4882,331],{},"Europe is investing in cloud, AI and open source – a welcome development. For you, it mainly means: there are more and more good ways to set up your IT the way that suits you. If you'd like an assessment, have a look at ",[327,4883,456],{"href":455},[84,4885,459,4886,331],{},[327,4887,463],{"href":462},{"title":465,"searchDepth":466,"depth":466,"links":4889},[4890,4891,4892,4893,4894,4895,4896,4897],{"id":4682,"depth":466,"text":4683},{"id":4718,"depth":466,"text":4719},{"id":4725,"depth":466,"text":4726},{"id":4775,"depth":466,"text":4776},{"id":162,"depth":466,"text":163},{"id":4839,"depth":466,"text":4840},{"id":4872,"depth":466,"text":4873},{"id":448,"depth":466,"text":449},"2026-06-09T00:00:00.000Z","The EU is working on new initiatives around cloud, AI and open source. A calm overview of what's behind them and what small businesses can take away.",[4901,4904,4907],{"q":4902,"a":4903},"What is the Cloud and AI Development Act (CADA)?","It's a European Commission initiative around cloud data centres and AI in Europe. It's currently going through the legislative process. What the final rules will look like remains to be seen.",{"q":4905,"a":4906},"Do I need to do anything as a small business right now?","No, not at the moment. Initiatives like this are mainly aimed at providers and public bodies at first. For you, it's simply a good reason to check where your data lives.",{"q":4908,"a":4909},"What does open source have to do with it?","Open source is increasingly seen in Europe as an important building block for a diverse IT landscape. Anyone can use, review and improve open software, and it can be run with many different providers.",{"src":4911},"/img/blog/photo-1529119368496-2dfda6ec2804.webp",{},"/en/blog/cada-eu-tech-sovereignty-package-public-sector-2026",{"title":4663,"description":4899},"en/3.blog/15.cada-eu-tech-sovereignty-package-public-sector-2026","zG7hQxS8gBFONQ1seZfhZpAMe_SbugY-T1vh9V1QQlQ",{"id":4918,"title":4919,"authors":4920,"badge":4923,"body":4924,"date":5254,"description":5255,"extension":478,"faq":5256,"howto":5266,"image":5282,"meta":5284,"navigation":509,"path":5285,"seo":5286,"stem":5287,"__hash__":5288},"posts_en/en/3.blog/14.dora-microsoft-365-exit-strategy-banks-2026.md","DORA and the Exit Strategy – What Every Business Can Learn from Banks",[4921],{"name":70,"to":71,"avatar":4922},{"src":73},{"label":75},{"type":77,"value":4925,"toc":5244},[4926,4929,4940,4944,4947,4982,4985,4989,4992,5003,5006,5008,5019,5084,5087,5091,5094,5120,5127,5129,5132,5197,5200,5202,5228,5232,5235,5237,5240],[80,4927,4919],{"id":4928},"dora-and-the-exit-strategy-what-every-business-can-learn-from-banks",[84,4930,4931,4932,4935,4936,4939],{},"Since January 2025, banks and insurers have had a new task: with the ",[88,4933,4934],{},"Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA)",", they need to show that their IT keeps working even when something goes wrong. One point is especially interesting: the ",[88,4937,4938],{},"exit strategy",". That's a plan for how to switch IT providers. It's an idea that does every business good.",[93,4941,4943],{"id":4942},"dora-in-brief","DORA in brief",[84,4945,4946],{},"DORA is an EU regulation for the financial sector. Among other things, it requires:",[165,4948,4949,4956,4962,4969,4976],{},[168,4950,4951,4952,4955],{},"good ",[88,4953,4954],{},"IT risk management",",",[168,4957,4958,4959,4955],{},"a process for ",[88,4960,4961],{},"security incidents",[168,4963,4964,4965,4968],{},"regular ",[88,4966,4967],{},"testing"," of their own resilience,",[168,4970,4971,4972,4975],{},"a ",[88,4973,4974],{},"register"," of all important IT service providers,",[168,4977,4978,4979,4981],{},"and an ",[88,4980,4938],{}," for important services.",[84,4983,4984],{},"The basic idea: you shouldn't be so dependent on a single provider that you couldn't switch any more.",[93,4986,4988],{"id":4987},"why-this-is-interesting-for-you-too","Why this is interesting for you too",[84,4990,4991],{},"You don't have to be a bank to benefit from this idea. Just ask yourself:",[165,4993,4994,4997,5000],{},[168,4995,4996],{},"What happens if my most important IT service is unavailable for a day?",[168,4998,4999],{},"Can I easily get to all my data?",[168,5001,5002],{},"Could I switch to another provider if prices or terms change?",[84,5004,5005],{},"If you have a relaxed answer to these questions, you'll sleep better.",[93,5007,3906],{"id":3905},[84,5009,5010,5011,5014,5015,5018],{},"An exit strategy is easy when your data is in ",[88,5012,5013],{},"open formats"," and the software is built on ",[88,5016,5017],{},"open standards",". That's exactly one of open source's strengths:",[109,5020,5021,5032],{},[112,5022,5023],{},[115,5024,5025,5027,5029],{},[118,5026,205],{},[118,5028,208],{},[118,5030,5031],{},"What it gives you",[125,5033,5034,5044,5055,5065,5075],{},[115,5035,5036,5038,5041],{},[130,5037,218],{},[130,5039,5040],{},"WebDAV, normal folders",[130,5042,5043],{},"Simply copy and take along",[115,5045,5046,5049,5052],{},[130,5047,5048],{},"Calendar & contacts",[130,5050,5051],{},"CalDAV, CardDAV",[130,5053,5054],{},"Works with almost any app",[115,5056,5057,5059,5062],{},[130,5058,249],{},[130,5060,5061],{},"IMAP, SMTP",[130,5063,5064],{},"Mailboxes can be moved",[115,5066,5067,5069,5072],{},[130,5068,260],{},[130,5070,5071],{},"ODF, but also DOCX and XLSX",[130,5073,5074],{},"Editable with many programs",[115,5076,5077,5079,5081],{},[130,5078,271],{},[130,5080,274],{},[130,5082,5083],{},"The server can be changed",[84,5085,5086],{},"And because you choose the server yourself with open source, you can also switch hosting providers without changing the software.",[93,5088,5090],{"id":5089},"an-exit-strategy-for-small-businesses","An exit strategy for small businesses",[84,5092,5093],{},"It doesn't have to be a thick document. One page is often enough:",[297,5095,5096,5102,5108,5114],{},[168,5097,5098,5101],{},[88,5099,5100],{},"Which services are important?"," For example email, files, accounting.",[168,5103,5104,5107],{},[88,5105,5106],{},"How do I get to the data?"," Try an export once.",[168,5109,5110,5113],{},[88,5111,5112],{},"What would the alternative be?"," Note one option per service.",[168,5115,5116,5119],{},[88,5117,5118],{},"Who does what?"," Briefly note who takes care of things if it ever comes to it.",[84,5121,5122,5123,5126],{},"If you like, we can go through this together – it's part of my ",[327,5124,5125],{"href":455},"consulting"," too.",[93,5128,2097],{"id":2096},[84,5130,5131],{},"A law firm with five people goes through the exit questions once:",[109,5133,5134,5148],{},[112,5135,5136],{},[115,5137,5138,5140,5143,5145],{},[118,5139,347],{},[118,5141,5142],{},"How do I get the data?",[118,5144,353],{},[118,5146,5147],{},"Alternative",[125,5149,5150,5163,5174,5186],{},[115,5151,5152,5154,5157,5160],{},[130,5153,249],{},[130,5155,5156],{},"Export mailboxes",[130,5158,5159],{},"IMAP / MBOX",[130,5161,5162],{},"another mail provider",[115,5164,5165,5167,5170,5172],{},[130,5166,363],{},[130,5168,5169],{},"Download folders",[130,5171,369],{},[130,5173,32],{},[115,5175,5176,5178,5180,5183],{},[130,5177,228],{},[130,5179,3108],{},[130,5181,5182],{},"ICS / CalDAV",[130,5184,5185],{},"Nextcloud calendar",[115,5187,5188,5190,5192,5195],{},[130,5189,282],{},[130,5191,3108],{},[130,5193,5194],{},"CSV / JSON",[130,5196,288],{},[84,5198,5199],{},"It turns out that almost everything can be exported easily; only one service has a cumbersome export. That's exactly where it's worth calmly looking for a more open solution.",[93,5201,163],{"id":162},[165,5203,5204,5210,5216,5222],{},[168,5205,5206,5209],{},[88,5207,5208],{},"Resilience:"," The ability to keep working during disruptions and recover quickly.",[168,5211,5212,5215],{},[88,5213,5214],{},"Concentration risk:"," When many important services sit with a single provider.",[168,5217,5218,5221],{},[88,5219,5220],{},"Register of information:"," Under DORA, an overview of all IT providers and their services. On a small scale, a simple list is enough.",[168,5223,5224,5227],{},[88,5225,5226],{},"Exit plan:"," The documented way to leave a service in an orderly manner.",[93,5229,5231],{"id":5230},"why-an-exit-strategy-is-relaxing","Why an exit strategy is relaxing",[84,5233,5234],{},"It's not about constantly switching providers. Quite the opposite: if you know you could switch at any time, you can stay relaxed – and decide calmly if prices, terms or requirements change.",[93,5236,449],{"id":448},[84,5238,5239],{},"DORA is made for banks, but the idea behind it fits everyone: never be so dependent that you couldn't switch. With open formats and open-source software, an exit strategy is almost built in.",[84,5241,459,5242,331],{},[327,5243,463],{"href":462},{"title":465,"searchDepth":466,"depth":466,"links":5245},[5246,5247,5248,5249,5250,5251,5252,5253],{"id":4942,"depth":466,"text":4943},{"id":4987,"depth":466,"text":4988},{"id":3905,"depth":466,"text":3906},{"id":5089,"depth":466,"text":5090},{"id":2096,"depth":466,"text":2097},{"id":162,"depth":466,"text":163},{"id":5230,"depth":466,"text":5231},{"id":448,"depth":466,"text":449},"2026-06-02T00:00:00.000Z","Thanks to DORA, banks need a plan for switching IT providers. A great idea that helps small businesses too. Here's how.",[5257,5260,5263],{"q":5258,"a":5259},"What is DORA?","DORA stands for Digital Operational Resilience Act. It's an EU regulation that has applied since January 2025 to banks, insurers and other financial companies. It aims to make sure their IT keeps working reliably even when there are disruptions.",{"q":5261,"a":5262},"Does DORA affect my small business?","DORA only applies directly to the financial sector and certain IT providers serving it. But its basic ideas, such as an emergency plan and an exit strategy, make sense for every business.",{"q":5264,"a":5265},"What is an exit strategy in IT?","A plan for how you could take your data and processes to another provider if that ever becomes necessary. Open formats and standards make this much easier.",{"name":5267,"description":5268,"totalTime":492,"steps":5269},"A simple exit strategy for your IT","Four steps to a plan that would let you switch providers at any time.",[5270,5273,5276,5279],{"name":5271,"text":5272},"List your providers","Note all important IT services and providers your business depends on.",{"name":5274,"text":5275},"Check data export","For each service, try out how to export the data and what format it comes out in.",{"name":5277,"text":5278},"Note alternatives","Write down at least one alternative for each service, ideally an open-source one.",{"name":5280,"text":5281},"Write down the plan","Briefly document who does what if it ever comes to it, and look at the plan once a year.",{"src":5283},"/img/blog/photo-1559526324-4b87b5e36e44.webp",{},"/en/blog/dora-microsoft-365-exit-strategy-banks-2026",{"title":4919,"description":5255},"en/3.blog/14.dora-microsoft-365-exit-strategy-banks-2026","9kOYPYqoDJoFYZ6E51sQVv2UcNZTGtKDzH7Rd-roUzY",{"id":5290,"title":5291,"authors":5292,"badge":5295,"body":5296,"date":5547,"description":5548,"extension":478,"faq":5549,"howto":5558,"image":5574,"meta":5576,"navigation":509,"path":5577,"seo":5578,"stem":5579,"__hash__":5580},"posts_en/en/3.blog/13.opendesk-partner-program-2026.md","Introducing openDesk – the Open Workplace Built from Open-Source Tools",[5293],{"name":70,"to":71,"avatar":5294},{"src":73},{"label":1599},{"type":77,"value":5297,"toc":5537},[5298,5301,5306,5310,5313,5376,5382,5384,5410,5414,5417,5437,5442,5444,5447,5449,5497,5500,5504,5507,5509,5523,5528,5530,5533],[80,5299,5291],{"id":5300},"introducing-opendesk-the-open-workplace-built-from-open-source-tools",[84,5302,5303,5305],{},[88,5304,919],{}," is a lovely example of how well open source works together today. The suite combines several proven programs into one shared digital workplace – with files, email, chat, video calls and project planning. It was developed for public administration, but the idea behind it is exciting for everyone.",[93,5307,5309],{"id":5308},"whats-inside-opendesk","What's inside openDesk?",[84,5311,5312],{},"openDesk isn't completely new software, but a carefully coordinated collection of well-known open-source projects:",[109,5314,5315,5323],{},[112,5316,5317],{},[115,5318,5319,5321],{},[118,5320,205],{},[118,5322,938],{},[125,5324,5325,5331,5338,5344,5350,5356,5363,5370],{},[115,5326,5327,5329],{},[130,5328,1629],{},[130,5330,32],{},[115,5332,5333,5336],{},[130,5334,5335],{},"Office documents in the browser",[130,5337,962],{},[115,5339,5340,5342],{},[130,5341,951],{},[130,5343,954],{},[115,5345,5346,5348],{},[130,5347,271],{},[130,5349,694],{},[115,5351,5352,5354],{},[130,5353,973],{},[130,5355,976],{},[115,5357,5358,5361],{},[130,5359,5360],{},"Projects and tasks",[130,5362,984],{},[115,5364,5365,5368],{},[130,5366,5367],{},"Knowledge and wiki",[130,5369,992],{},[115,5371,5372,5374],{},[130,5373,1673],{},[130,5375,48],{},[84,5377,5378,5379,5381],{},"Behind it is the German ",[88,5380,998],{},". It makes sure the building blocks fit together well, are securely configured and are updated regularly.",[93,5383,3569],{"id":3568},[165,5385,5386,5392,5398,5404],{},[168,5387,5388,5391],{},[88,5389,5390],{},"Proven programs:"," Every building block has a big community and many years of development behind it.",[168,5393,5394,5397],{},[88,5395,5396],{},"Unified interface:"," Instead of many separate programs, there's one shared entry point.",[168,5399,5400,5403],{},[88,5401,5402],{},"Open code:"," The source code is public, and anyone can look at how everything works.",[168,5405,5406,5409],{},[88,5407,5408],{},"Setting an example:"," When large organisations rely on a workplace like this, trust in open source grows overall.",[93,5411,5413],{"id":5412},"and-what-does-a-small-business-get-out-of-it","And what does a small business get out of it?",[84,5415,5416],{},"Even though openDesk is meant for public authorities, the individual building blocks are open to everyone. For a small office, law firm or practice, a lean combination is often enough:",[165,5418,5419,5423,5429,5433],{},[168,5420,5421,4786],{},[88,5422,32],{},[168,5424,5425,2044,5427,4798],{},[88,5426,2043],{},[88,5428,40],{},[168,5430,5431,4791],{},[88,5432,277],{},[168,5434,5435,4803],{},[88,5436,288],{},[84,5438,5439,5440,331],{},"That way you get the same benefits – just sized to your team. You'll find more ideas under ",[327,5441,330],{"href":329},[93,5443,2697],{"id":2696},[84,5445,5446],{},"An open workplace feels different from familiar programs in places. There are small differences in how things work, and not every special feature has an immediate equivalent. But for the vast majority of everyday tasks – sharing files, editing documents, chatting, planning meetings – it works really well.",[93,5448,2710],{"id":2709},[165,5450,5451,5456,5462,5467,5473,5479,5485,5491],{},[168,5452,5453,5455],{},[88,5454,2735],{}," Files, sharing and collaboration – the heart of many open workplaces.",[168,5457,5458,5461],{},[88,5459,5460],{},"Collabora Online:"," Brings LibreOffice to the browser so several people can work on documents at the same time.",[168,5463,5464,5466],{},[88,5465,2729],{}," Email, calendar and contacts in one web interface.",[168,5468,5469,5472],{},[88,5470,5471],{},"Element:"," Chat based on the open Matrix standard, end-to-end encrypted.",[168,5474,5475,5478],{},[88,5476,5477],{},"Jitsi:"," Video conferences right in the browser, with no installation needed for guests.",[168,5480,5481,5484],{},[88,5482,5483],{},"OpenProject:"," Plan projects, tasks and timelines clearly.",[168,5486,5487,5490],{},[88,5488,5489],{},"XWiki:"," A wiki for collecting knowledge and how-tos.",[168,5492,5493,5496],{},[88,5494,5495],{},"Keycloak:"," Makes sure everyone can sign in everywhere with a single login.",[84,5498,5499],{},"Each of these projects has its own active community and is developed independently. openDesk makes sure they fit together well.",[93,5501,5503],{"id":5502},"an-example-for-a-small-office","An example for a small office",[84,5505,5506],{},"A tax adviser with four employees wants to try an open workplace. She starts with Nextcloud for client folders and Collabora for documents. After a few weeks, Element is added for internal coordination, and later a shared login. The specialist accounting software stays as it is. After three months, everyday work around the specialist software is open, clear and in one place.",[93,5508,1808],{"id":1807},[297,5510,5511,5514,5517,5520],{},[168,5512,5513],{},"Think about which features you need day to day",[168,5515,5516],{},"Start with a small test group",[168,5518,5519],{},"Work in parallel for a few weeks",[168,5521,5522],{},"Decide together how to continue",[84,5524,5525,5526,331],{},"If you'd like to be shown around at a relaxed pace, have a look at my ",[327,5527,1839],{"href":1109},[93,5529,449],{"id":448},[84,5531,5532],{},"openDesk shows how well open-source programs can work together. For small businesses, that means: the building blocks are mature and ready – you can start small and grow at your own pace.",[84,5534,459,5535,331],{},[327,5536,463],{"href":462},{"title":465,"searchDepth":466,"depth":466,"links":5538},[5539,5540,5541,5542,5543,5544,5545,5546],{"id":5308,"depth":466,"text":5309},{"id":3568,"depth":466,"text":3569},{"id":5412,"depth":466,"text":5413},{"id":2696,"depth":466,"text":2697},{"id":2709,"depth":466,"text":2710},{"id":5502,"depth":466,"text":5503},{"id":1807,"depth":466,"text":1808},{"id":448,"depth":466,"text":449},"2026-05-26T00:00:00.000Z","openDesk bundles proven open-source programs into an office suite. What's inside, who it suits and how you can try it out.",[5550,5552,5555],{"q":1229,"a":5551},"openDesk is an office suite that combines several proven open-source programs into one shared workplace. It's run by the German Centre for Digital Sovereignty of Public Administration (ZenDiS).",{"q":5553,"a":5554},"Is openDesk only for public authorities?","openDesk was developed for public administration. The source code is open, and the individual building blocks such as Nextcloud, Element or OpenProject are available to everyone. So small businesses can use the same programs.",{"q":5556,"a":5557},"Do I need my own IT department for a workplace like this?","No. The programs can run as a managed service. Then someone else takes care of servers, updates and backups, and you simply use the applications.",{"name":5559,"description":5560,"totalTime":877,"steps":5561},"Trying out an open workplace","How to test an openDesk-style workplace without much risk.",[5562,5565,5568,5571],{"name":5563,"text":5564},"Clarify your needs","Write down which features you really need day to day, such as files, mail, chat and video calls.",{"name":5566,"text":5567},"Small test group","Two or three people try the new workplace in parallel for a few weeks.",{"name":5569,"text":5570},"Collect feedback","Talk together about what works well and what's still missing.",{"name":5572,"text":5573},"Expand step by step","If it fits, add more areas and people.",{"src":5575},"/img/blog/photo-1497366216548-37526070297c.webp",{},"/en/blog/opendesk-partner-program-2026",{"title":5291,"description":5548},"en/3.blog/13.opendesk-partner-program-2026","l0ZahBxGDtYakePS9e0RXlDFu4rLRPzOTOZqCs8CImQ",{"id":5582,"title":5583,"authors":5584,"badge":5588,"body":5590,"date":5848,"description":5849,"extension":478,"faq":5850,"howto":5860,"image":5876,"meta":5878,"navigation":509,"path":5879,"seo":5880,"stem":5881,"__hash__":5882},"posts_en/en/3.blog/10.nis2-gdpr-microsoft-paradox.md","NIS2 and GDPR, Calmly Explained – What Small Businesses Should Know",[5585],{"name":70,"to":5586,"avatar":5587},"https://snowblue.de/about",{"src":73},{"label":5589},"Data Protection",{"type":77,"value":5591,"toc":5837},[5592,5595,5602,5606,5613,5617,5622,5626,5629,5660,5663,5665,5668,5713,5728,5732,5752,5755,5759,5762,5794,5797,5801,5807,5813,5819,5823,5828,5830,5833],[80,5593,5583],{"id":5594},"nis2-and-gdpr-calmly-explained-what-small-businesses-should-know",[84,5596,5597,837,5599,5601],{},[88,5598,2247],{},[88,5600,102],{}," – two acronyms that make many people take a deep breath first. Yet behind both is a sensible idea: data should be well protected, and IT should work reliably. In this article I'll calmly explain what they're about and how you can bring some order into things with little effort.",[93,5603,5605],{"id":5604},"the-gdpr-in-one-sentence","The GDPR in one sentence",[84,5607,5608,5609,5612],{},"Since 2018, the ",[88,5610,5611],{},"General Data Protection Regulation"," has governed how personal data is handled across the EU. That means anything that can be linked to a person: names, addresses, emails, photos, health data. The key ideas are transparency, keeping data to a minimum and appropriate protection.",[93,5614,5616],{"id":5615},"nis2-in-one-sentence","NIS2 in one sentence",[84,5618,5619,5621],{},[88,5620,2247],{}," is an EU directive for better cybersecurity. It requires organisations in important sectors – like energy, health, transport or digital services – to have good security management. Germany implemented it through its own law. It mainly applies directly to medium-sized and larger organisations.",[93,5623,5625],{"id":5624},"what-does-this-mean-for-small-businesses","What does this mean for small businesses?",[84,5627,5628],{},"Many small businesses aren't directly affected by NIS2. Still, it's worth adopting the basic ideas – simply because they make sense:",[165,5630,5631,5637,5643,5649,5654],{},[168,5632,5633,5636],{},[88,5634,5635],{},"Know what you have:"," Which devices, programs and services do you use?",[168,5638,5639,5642],{},[88,5640,5641],{},"Protect logins:"," Strong passwords and two-factor login.",[168,5644,5645,5648],{},[88,5646,5647],{},"Stay up to date:"," Install updates promptly.",[168,5650,5651,5653],{},[88,5652,3233],{}," Back up regularly – and occasionally check that restoring actually works.",[168,5655,5656,5659],{},[88,5657,5658],{},"Be prepared:"," Briefly write down what to do in an emergency.",[84,5661,5662],{},"And if you work for clients who fall under NIS2 themselves, they may ask about exactly these points. Then you'll have the answers ready.",[93,5664,3906],{"id":3905},[84,5666,5667],{},"Neither framework prescribes specific software. But open source has a few practical advantages that can make life easier:",[109,5669,5670,5679],{},[112,5671,5672],{},[115,5673,5674,5677],{},[118,5675,5676],{},"Advantage",[118,5678,5031],{},[125,5680,5681,5689,5697,5705],{},[115,5682,5683,5686],{},[130,5684,5685],{},"You choose the server",[130,5687,5688],{},"You know exactly where your data is",[115,5690,5691,5694],{},[130,5692,5693],{},"Open code",[130,5695,5696],{},"Experts can check what the software does",[115,5698,5699,5702],{},[130,5700,5701],{},"Open formats",[130,5703,5704],{},"Data can be exported at any time",[115,5706,5707,5710],{},[130,5708,5709],{},"Clear responsibility",[130,5711,5712],{},"You or your provider control updates and backups",[84,5714,2353,5715,2356,5717,5719,5720,5722,5723,5725,5726,331],{},[88,5716,32],{},[88,5718,277],{}," for chat, ",[88,5721,288],{}," as a password manager and ",[88,5724,48],{}," for a single login. You'll find more examples under ",[327,5727,330],{"href":329},[93,5729,5731],{"id":5730},"a-small-checklist-to-get-started","A small checklist to get started",[297,5733,5734,5737,5740,5743,5746,5749],{},[168,5735,5736],{},"Make a list of all programs and online services",[168,5738,5739],{},"Note which data each service holds",[168,5741,5742],{},"Turn on two-factor login wherever possible",[168,5744,5745],{},"Introduce a password manager for the whole team",[168,5747,5748],{},"Set up backups and do a test restore once",[168,5750,5751],{},"Summarise everything on one or two pages",[84,5753,5754],{},"This isn't a big project – more like a relaxed afternoon – and afterwards you'll feel really good about it.",[93,5756,5758],{"id":5757},"what-a-small-emergency-plan-should-include","What a small emergency plan should include",[84,5760,5761],{},"An emergency plan sounds big, but it often fits on one page. Useful contents:",[165,5763,5764,5770,5776,5782,5788],{},[168,5765,5766,5769],{},[88,5767,5768],{},"Important phone numbers:"," IT provider, internet provider, bank, insurer.",[168,5771,5772,5775],{},[88,5773,5774],{},"First steps in an incident:"," For example, disconnect the affected device from the network, change passwords, inform your provider.",[168,5777,5778,5781],{},[88,5779,5780],{},"Where are the backups?"," And who knows how to restore them?",[168,5783,5784,5787],{},[88,5785,5786],{},"Who decides?"," One person who keeps the overview if it comes to it.",[168,5789,5790,5793],{},[88,5791,5792],{},"Reporting channels:"," Data protection incidents come with reporting obligations to the supervisory authority. Note down who you can ask in that case.",[84,5795,5796],{},"It's best to print the plan and keep it somewhere everyone knows – in an emergency, the computer might be exactly what isn't working.",[93,5798,5800],{"id":5799},"typical-everyday-questions","Typical everyday questions",[84,5802,5803,5806],{},[88,5804,5805],{},"What is a record of processing activities?","\nAn overview required by the GDPR of which personal data you process and why. For many small businesses, it's a manageable table.",[84,5808,5809,5812],{},[88,5810,5811],{},"How often should I test backups?","\nOnce a quarter is a good rhythm. What matters is that you actually restore a file, not just check that the backup is running.",[84,5814,5815,5818],{},[88,5816,5817],{},"Do I need cyber insurance?","\nThat's an individual decision. Insurers often ask about exactly the basics from the checklist above – if you've put them in place, you're well prepared.",[93,5820,5822],{"id":5821},"a-note-on-the-legal-side","A note on the legal side",[84,5824,5825,5826,331],{},"I'm an IT service provider and external information security officer, but not a lawyer. If you want to know exactly which obligations apply to your business, please talk to a legal adviser. I'm happy to help with the technical and organisational side – more under ",[327,5827,456],{"href":455},[93,5829,449],{"id":448},[84,5831,5832],{},"NIS2 and GDPR are no reason to worry. With a clear overview, a few good habits and software where you know where your data lives, you're in good shape.",[84,5834,459,5835,331],{},[327,5836,463],{"href":462},{"title":465,"searchDepth":466,"depth":466,"links":5838},[5839,5840,5841,5842,5843,5844,5845,5846,5847],{"id":5604,"depth":466,"text":5605},{"id":5615,"depth":466,"text":5616},{"id":5624,"depth":466,"text":5625},{"id":3905,"depth":466,"text":3906},{"id":5730,"depth":466,"text":5731},{"id":5757,"depth":466,"text":5758},{"id":5799,"depth":466,"text":5800},{"id":5821,"depth":466,"text":5822},{"id":448,"depth":466,"text":449},"2026-05-20T00:00:00.000Z","NIS2 and GDPR sound like a lot of paperwork. Here's a calm, clear look at what they're about and how open source helps you stay organised.",[5851,5854,5857],{"q":5852,"a":5853},"Does NIS2 apply to small businesses?","NIS2 is mainly aimed at medium-sized and large organisations in certain sectors. Small businesses can be affected indirectly if they work for such organisations and those pass requirements on to their suppliers. Whether that applies to you is best clarified with your data protection or legal adviser.",{"q":5855,"a":5856},"What's the difference between NIS2 and GDPR?","The GDPR protects personal data, meaning information about people. NIS2 is about the security of IT systems overall, so that important services keep running reliably. The two complement each other well.",{"q":5858,"a":5859},"Do I have to switch to open source for NIS2 or GDPR?","No. Neither framework prescribes specific software. Open source can help, though, because you know exactly where your data is and who has access. That often makes documentation easier.",{"name":5861,"description":5862,"totalTime":877,"steps":5863},"Getting information security in order in a small business","Four relaxed steps to get an overview of your data, services and safeguards.",[5864,5867,5870,5873],{"name":5865,"text":5866},"Get an overview","Write down which programs and online services you use and what data is stored in them.",{"name":5868,"text":5869},"Mark what matters","Note which data deserves special protection, such as customer data, HR records or health data.",{"name":5871,"text":5872},"Put the basics in place","Set up two-factor login, regular updates, a password manager and tested backups.",{"name":5874,"text":5875},"Document and repeat","Briefly document the measures and review them once a year.",{"src":5877},"/img/blog/photo-1563013544-824ae1b704d3.webp",{},"/en/blog/nis2-gdpr-microsoft-paradox",{"title":5583,"description":5849},"en/3.blog/10.nis2-gdpr-microsoft-paradox","9k78WOccXcstcdk6Nq2j30UAliFyNdWcNmZZAqBl2Pc",{"id":5884,"title":5885,"authors":5886,"badge":5889,"body":5890,"date":5848,"description":6173,"extension":478,"faq":6174,"howto":6184,"image":6199,"meta":6201,"navigation":509,"path":6202,"seo":6203,"stem":6204,"__hash__":6205},"posts_en/en/3.blog/11.bsi-it-grundschutz-microsoft-365.md","BSI IT-Grundschutz, Simply Explained – and How Open Source Helps",[5887],{"name":70,"to":5586,"avatar":5888},{"src":73},{"label":75},{"type":77,"value":5891,"toc":6163},[5892,5895,5904,5908,5911,5925,5928,5932,5985,5988,5992,5997,6001,6004,6034,6038,6041,6058,6061,6065,6072,6127,6130,6132,6135,6149,6152,6154,6159],[80,5893,5885],{"id":5894},"bsi-it-grundschutz-simply-explained-and-how-open-source-helps",[84,5896,5897,5898,5900,5901,5903],{},"Germany's ",[88,5899,2864],{}," created ",[88,5902,2243],{},", a proven guide to information security. Public authorities work with it, many companies use it as a reference – and there are plenty of good ideas in it for small businesses too. Here's a friendly overview.",[93,5905,5907],{"id":5906},"what-is-it-grundschutz","What is IT-Grundschutz?",[84,5909,5910],{},"IT-Grundschutz is a method for building up information security step by step. It has two parts:",[165,5912,5913,5919],{},[168,5914,5915,5918],{},[88,5916,5917],{},"BSI standards"," (for example 200-1, 200-2 and 200-3): They describe the approach – how to set up security management and assess risks.",[168,5920,5921,5924],{},[88,5922,5923],{},"IT-Grundschutz Compendium:"," A collection of \"modules\" for typical topics, such as backups, cloud use, servers, office workplaces or emergency planning.",[84,5926,5927],{},"Each module describes what to pay attention to. The nice thing: the texts are practical and freely available from the BSI.",[93,5929,5931],{"id":5930},"a-few-example-modules","A few example modules",[109,5933,5934,5943],{},[112,5935,5936],{},[115,5937,5938,5941],{},[118,5939,5940],{},"Module",[118,5942,123],{},[125,5944,5945,5955,5965,5975],{},[115,5946,5947,5952],{},[130,5948,5949],{},[88,5950,5951],{},"CON.3 Backup concept",[130,5953,5954],{},"How is data backed up, and does restoring work?",[115,5956,5957,5962],{},[130,5958,5959],{},[88,5960,5961],{},"OPS.2.2 Cloud usage",[130,5963,5964],{},"What to look out for when choosing and using cloud services",[115,5966,5967,5972],{},[130,5968,5969],{},[88,5970,5971],{},"ORP.4 Identity and access management",[130,5973,5974],{},"Who is allowed to access what?",[115,5976,5977,5982],{},[130,5978,5979],{},[88,5980,5981],{},"DER.4 Business continuity management",[130,5983,5984],{},"What happens if something fails?",[84,5986,5987],{},"The cloud module in particular covers questions every business can ask itself: Where is the data? How do you get it back if you want to switch providers? Is there a plan for an outage?",[93,5989,5991],{"id":5990},"and-what-is-c5","And what is C5?",[84,5993,5994,5996],{},[88,5995,2868],{}," stands for \"Cloud Computing Compliance Criteria Catalogue\". It's a BSI criteria catalogue specifically for cloud providers. Many providers have themselves audited against it. A C5 attestation is a helpful factor when choosing a cloud service – but it doesn't replace your own thinking about which data you want to keep where.",[93,5998,6000],{"id":5999},"how-open-source-helps-with-grundschutz","How open source helps with Grundschutz",[84,6002,6003],{},"IT-Grundschutz doesn't prescribe specific software. But open source can make many requirements pleasantly simple:",[165,6005,6006,6011,6017,6023,6028],{},[168,6007,6008,6010],{},[88,6009,3233],{}," You decide how and where data is backed up.",[168,6012,6013,6016],{},[88,6014,6015],{},"Location:"," You choose the data centre or run the server on your own premises.",[168,6018,6019,6022],{},[88,6020,6021],{},"Ability to switch:"," Open formats and standards make a later move easier.",[168,6024,6025,6027],{},[88,6026,3839],{}," The code is open, and settings are easy to document.",[168,6029,6030,6033],{},[88,6031,6032],{},"Permissions:"," Tools like Keycloak let you manage logins centrally and clearly.",[93,6035,6037],{"id":6036},"for-small-businesses-keep-it-practical","For small businesses: keep it practical",[84,6039,6040],{},"Nobody needs to aim for certification straight away. For small businesses, it's usually enough to put the most important basic ideas into practice:",[297,6042,6043,6046,6049,6052,6055],{},[168,6044,6045],{},"Know which data and systems you have",[168,6047,6048],{},"Protect logins with two-factor authentication",[168,6050,6051],{},"Install updates regularly",[168,6053,6054],{},"Make backups and test them",[168,6056,6057],{},"Write down a small emergency plan",[84,6059,6060],{},"The BSI also offers starter materials specifically for smaller organisations.",[93,6062,6064],{"id":6063},"briefly-explained-protection-needs","Briefly explained: protection needs",[84,6066,6067,6068,6071],{},"A central idea in IT-Grundschutz is ",[88,6069,6070],{},"protection needs",". For each type of data, you ask yourself three things:",[109,6073,6074,6086],{},[112,6075,6076],{},[115,6077,6078,6081,6083],{},[118,6079,6080],{},"Protection goal",[118,6082,1943],{},[118,6084,6085],{},"Example",[125,6087,6088,6101,6114],{},[115,6089,6090,6095,6098],{},[130,6091,6092],{},[88,6093,6094],{},"Confidentiality",[130,6096,6097],{},"How bad would it be if unauthorised people saw the data?",[130,6099,6100],{},"Patient records, client data",[115,6102,6103,6108,6111],{},[130,6104,6105],{},[88,6106,6107],{},"Integrity",[130,6109,6110],{},"How bad would it be if the data were changed unnoticed?",[130,6112,6113],{},"Invoices, contracts",[115,6115,6116,6121,6124],{},[130,6117,6118],{},[88,6119,6120],{},"Availability",[130,6122,6123],{},"How bad would it be if the data were unavailable for a while?",[130,6125,6126],{},"Appointment calendar, email",[84,6128,6129],{},"Depending on the answers, you speak of normal, high or very high protection needs. That determines which measures make sense. A family calendar needs something different from a tax office.",[93,6131,1202],{"id":1201},[84,6133,6134],{},"An architecture office with eight people goes through the basic ideas. It finds that plans and contracts have high protection needs for integrity and availability, and customer data for confidentiality. A few clear steps follow:",[297,6136,6137,6140,6143,6146],{},[168,6138,6139],{},"Daily, encrypted backups of the project folders, with a copy in a second location.",[168,6141,6142],{},"Two-factor login for all accounts.",[168,6144,6145],{},"A password manager for the whole team.",[168,6147,6148],{},"A one-page emergency plan with the most important contacts.",[84,6150,6151],{},"The project data lives in a Nextcloud in a German data centre. Backups, updates and access are documented so that even a stand-in during holidays can keep track.",[93,6153,449],{"id":448},[84,6155,6156,6157,331],{},"IT-Grundschutz is a helpful compass for better security. With open-source tools where you control location, backups and access yourself, many requirements can be implemented well and understandably. As an external information security officer, I'm happy to support you – more under ",[327,6158,456],{"href":455},[84,6160,459,6161,331],{},[327,6162,463],{"href":462},{"title":465,"searchDepth":466,"depth":466,"links":6164},[6165,6166,6167,6168,6169,6170,6171,6172],{"id":5906,"depth":466,"text":5907},{"id":5930,"depth":466,"text":5931},{"id":5990,"depth":466,"text":5991},{"id":5999,"depth":466,"text":6000},{"id":6036,"depth":466,"text":6037},{"id":6063,"depth":466,"text":6064},{"id":1201,"depth":466,"text":1202},{"id":448,"depth":466,"text":449},"The BSI's IT-Grundschutz is a proven guide to information security. What it's about and what small businesses can take from it.",[6175,6178,6181],{"q":6176,"a":6177},"Do I have to implement IT-Grundschutz as a small business?","Usually there's no obligation. But IT-Grundschutz is a very good guide to orient yourself by. The BSI also offers simplified starter materials for small businesses.",{"q":6179,"a":6180},"What's the difference between IT-Grundschutz and C5?","IT-Grundschutz describes how an organisation builds up its information security overall. C5 is a BSI criteria catalogue specifically for cloud providers. It helps you assess the security of a cloud service.",{"q":6182,"a":6183},"Is open source automatically more secure?","Not automatically. Security mainly depends on good setup, updates and backups. But open source has the advantage that the code can be openly reviewed and you decide where the software runs.",{"name":6185,"description":6186,"totalTime":877,"steps":6187},"Starting small with IT-Grundschutz","A simplified introduction to the Grundschutz method for small businesses.",[6188,6190,6193,6196],{"name":883,"text":6189},"List all devices, programs, online services and rooms that deal with your data.",{"name":6191,"text":6192},"Assess protection needs","For each type of data, think about how bad loss, downtime or unauthorised access would be.",{"name":6194,"text":6195},"Choose suitable measures","Use the Grundschutz modules to pick suitable measures, for example for backups or cloud use.",{"name":6197,"text":6198},"Implement and review","Put the measures in place, document them briefly and review them regularly.",{"src":6200},"/img/blog/photo-1518770660439-4636190af475.webp",{},"/en/blog/bsi-it-grundschutz-microsoft-365",{"title":5885,"description":6173},"en/3.blog/11.bsi-it-grundschutz-microsoft-365","wuVsTE-RRXLxbaAezh8_OQfoyGqdP62x3jMkLBsjR7U",{"id":6207,"title":6208,"authors":6209,"badge":6212,"body":6213,"date":5848,"description":6465,"extension":478,"faq":6466,"howto":6476,"image":6492,"meta":6493,"navigation":509,"path":6494,"seo":6495,"stem":6496,"__hash__":6497},"posts_en/en/3.blog/12.microsoft-copilot-flex-routing.md","AI Assistants at Work – How to Keep Track of Your Data",[6210],{"name":70,"to":71,"avatar":6211},{"src":73},{"label":521},{"type":77,"value":6214,"toc":6456},[6215,6218,6221,6225,6228,6254,6257,6261,6285,6287,6312,6316,6319,6360,6363,6369,6373,6376,6414,6417,6421,6424,6441,6444,6446,6452],[80,6216,6208],{"id":6217},"ai-assistants-at-work-how-to-keep-track-of-your-data",[84,6219,6220],{},"AI assistants like Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT or Gemini have arrived in many offices. They summarise emails, draft texts and help with spreadsheets. That's genuinely useful. At the same time, it's worth taking a quick look at what happens to your input – and which open alternatives exist.",[93,6222,6224],{"id":6223},"what-happens-to-your-input","What happens to your input?",[84,6226,6227],{},"When you ask an AI assistant a question, your text – often together with content from open documents – is sent to a data centre and processed there by a language model. A few questions are interesting here:",[165,6229,6230,6236,6242,6248],{},[168,6231,6232,6235],{},[88,6233,6234],{},"Where"," is the data centre?",[168,6237,6238,6241],{},[88,6239,6240],{},"Who"," is involved in processing (for example other service providers)?",[168,6243,6244,6247],{},[88,6245,6246],{},"How long"," are prompts stored?",[168,6249,6250,6253],{},[88,6251,6252],{},"What"," may they be used for?",[84,6255,6256],{},"The big providers answer these questions in their privacy and contract documentation. Details can change over time, so it makes sense to check back now and then.",[93,6258,6260],{"id":6259},"a-few-simple-tips","A few simple tips",[297,6262,6263,6269,6275,6280],{},[168,6264,6265,6268],{},[88,6266,6267],{},"Look at the settings:"," The admin interface often has options for storage locations, history and data use.",[168,6270,6271,6274],{},[88,6272,6273],{},"Read change notices:"," Providers announce new features and subprocessors – a quick look helps.",[168,6276,6277,6279],{},[88,6278,2005],{}," For example: no health data, no client data, no passwords in AI tools.",[168,6281,6282,6284],{},[88,6283,2011],{}," If you need help phrasing something, simply replace names with placeholders.",[93,6286,163],{"id":162},[165,6288,6289,6295,6301,6306],{},[168,6290,6291,6294],{},[88,6292,6293],{},"Language model (LLM):"," The software that understands and generates text.",[168,6296,6297,6300],{},[88,6298,6299],{},"Inference:"," The moment the model processes your request and responds.",[168,6302,6303,6305],{},[88,6304,3043],{}," Other companies a provider uses for processing.",[168,6307,6308,6311],{},[88,6309,6310],{},"Local AI:"," A model that runs on your own computer or server.",[93,6313,6315],{"id":6314},"the-open-alternative-ai-on-your-own-server","The open alternative: AI on your own server",[84,6317,6318],{},"Open language models have become really good in recent years. With open-source tools you can run an AI assistant where the data never leaves your premises:",[109,6320,6321,6331],{},[112,6322,6323],{},[115,6324,6325,6328],{},[118,6326,6327],{},"Tool",[118,6329,6330],{},"What for",[125,6332,6333,6342,6351],{},[115,6334,6335,6339],{},[130,6336,6337],{},[88,6338,4241],{},[130,6340,6341],{},"Run open language models easily on your own hardware",[115,6343,6344,6348],{},[130,6345,6346],{},[88,6347,4245],{},[130,6349,6350],{},"A friendly chat interface for them",[115,6352,6353,6357],{},[130,6354,6355],{},[88,6356,4249],{},[130,6358,6359],{},"AI features right in your Nextcloud, with local models if you like",[84,6361,6362],{},"Local models aren't as strong as the largest cloud models for every task. But for many office jobs – summarising, rephrasing, writing drafts – they work very well. And you know exactly where your data is.",[84,6364,6365,6366,6368],{},"With me, a ",[88,6367,4253],{}," is in the works for this. If you're interested, just let me know.",[93,6370,6372],{"id":6371},"what-ai-is-really-good-for-at-work","What AI is really good for at work",[84,6374,6375],{},"So it's not all about caution – here are a few tasks where AI assistants genuinely save time:",[165,6377,6378,6384,6390,6396,6402,6408],{},[168,6379,6380,6383],{},[88,6381,6382],{},"Drafts:"," A first draft of an email, newsletter or job ad.",[168,6385,6386,6389],{},[88,6387,6388],{},"Summaries:"," Cutting long texts or minutes down to the essentials.",[168,6391,6392,6395],{},[88,6393,6394],{},"Rephrasing:"," Making a text friendlier, shorter or simpler.",[168,6397,6398,6401],{},[88,6399,6400],{},"Translating:"," Quick translations as a starting point, which you then check.",[168,6403,6404,6407],{},[88,6405,6406],{},"Brainstorming:"," Ideas for events, social media posts or product names.",[168,6409,6410,6413],{},[88,6411,6412],{},"Spreadsheets and formulas:"," Help with setting up a table or a tricky formula.",[84,6415,6416],{},"For all of these: the AI provides a suggestion, you make the decision.",[93,6418,6420],{"id":6419},"a-small-team-rule-to-copy","A small team rule to copy",[84,6422,6423],{},"Many teams get on well with a short agreement, something like this:",[297,6425,6426,6429,6432,6435,6438],{},[168,6427,6428],{},"We use these AI tools: …",[168,6430,6431],{},"General texts, drafts and research are fine.",[168,6433,6434],{},"Health data, client and HR data and passwords are not allowed.",[168,6436,6437],{},"Results are always double-checked before sending.",[168,6439,6440],{},"When in doubt, we ask first.",[84,6442,6443],{},"A page like this is quickly written and gives everyone peace of mind.",[93,6445,449],{"id":448},[84,6447,6448,6449,6451],{},"AI assistants are a real help day to day. With a quick look at the settings, a few clear rules and – where it fits – a local open-source solution, you can use them with peace of mind. In my ",[327,6450,1839],{"href":1109}," I'm also happy to show you what that looks like in practice.",[84,6453,459,6454,331],{},[327,6455,463],{"href":462},{"title":465,"searchDepth":466,"depth":466,"links":6457},[6458,6459,6460,6461,6462,6463,6464],{"id":6223,"depth":466,"text":6224},{"id":6259,"depth":466,"text":6260},{"id":162,"depth":466,"text":163},{"id":6314,"depth":466,"text":6315},{"id":6371,"depth":466,"text":6372},{"id":6419,"depth":466,"text":6420},{"id":448,"depth":466,"text":449},"Copilot and other AI assistants are handy. What to check in settings and data processing – and which open alternatives exist.",[6467,6470,6473],{"q":6468,"a":6469},"Where are my prompts processed by an AI assistant?","That depends on the provider and your settings. Many providers describe in their documentation in which regions they process requests and which subprocessors are involved. It's worth checking there regularly.",{"q":6471,"a":6472},"Can I enter client data into an AI assistant?","That depends on the data, your contract with the provider and your industry. For confidential data, for example in law firms or medical practices, talk to your data protection adviser first. When in doubt, anonymise it or leave it out.",{"q":6474,"a":6475},"Are there AI assistants that run entirely on my own server?","Yes. With open language models and tools like Ollama or Open WebUI, you can run an AI assistant on your own hardware. Nextcloud also offers an assistant that can work with local models.",{"name":6477,"description":6478,"totalTime":492,"steps":6479},"Using AI assistants at work mindfully","Four steps to use AI tools in a practical way and with peace of mind.",[6480,6483,6486,6489],{"name":6481,"text":6482},"Clarify usage","Write down who in the team uses which AI tools and for what.",{"name":6484,"text":6485},"Check settings","Look in the provider's admin area to see which options exist for data processing, storage locations and history.",{"name":6487,"text":6488},"Agree on simple rules","Agree together which data may go into AI tools and which may not.",{"name":6490,"text":6491},"Try alternatives","For sensitive tasks, try a locally run open-source assistant.",{"src":4364},{},"/en/blog/microsoft-copilot-flex-routing",{"title":6208,"description":6465},"en/3.blog/12.microsoft-copilot-flex-routing","IgMoZBf1sCBbe5xzb7MPPA6uB1cbyMwYenyOweUl2qE",{"id":6499,"title":6500,"authors":6501,"badge":6504,"body":6505,"date":6742,"description":6743,"extension":478,"faq":54,"howto":54,"image":6744,"meta":6745,"navigation":509,"path":6746,"seo":6747,"stem":6748,"__hash__":6749},"posts_en/en/3.blog/9.schrems-iii-cjeu-ruling.md","Sending Data to the US – What the Schrems Rulings Mean",[6502],{"name":70,"to":5586,"avatar":6503},{"src":73},{"label":5589},{"type":77,"value":6506,"toc":6733},[6507,6510,6517,6521,6524,6568,6571,6575,6578,6589,6592,6596,6599,6654,6658,6662,6686,6688,6714,6716,6719,6722,6724,6729],[80,6508,6500],{"id":6509},"sending-data-to-the-us-what-the-schrems-rulings-mean",[84,6511,6512,6513,6516],{},"When people talk about data protection and cloud services, the name ",[88,6514,6515],{},"Schrems"," often comes up. It refers to the Austrian lawyer Max Schrems, whose cases before the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) clarified important questions about transferring data to the US. Here's a relaxed explanation of what it's about – and what it means for your day-to-day.",[93,6518,6520],{"id":6519},"what-is-it-about","What is it about?",[84,6522,6523],{},"The GDPR allows personal data to be transferred to countries outside the EU if there's a comparable level of protection there or other safeguards have been agreed. For the US, there have been different arrangements over the years:",[109,6525,6526,6536],{},[112,6527,6528],{},[115,6529,6530,6533],{},[118,6531,6532],{},"Arrangement",[118,6534,6535],{},"What happened",[125,6537,6538,6548,6558],{},[115,6539,6540,6545],{},[130,6541,6542],{},[88,6543,6544],{},"Safe Harbor",[130,6546,6547],{},"Declared invalid by the CJEU in 2015 (\"Schrems I\")",[115,6549,6550,6555],{},[130,6551,6552],{},[88,6553,6554],{},"Privacy Shield",[130,6556,6557],{},"Declared invalid by the CJEU in 2020 (\"Schrems II\")",[115,6559,6560,6565],{},[130,6561,6562],{},[88,6563,6564],{},"EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework",[130,6566,6567],{},"The current basis since 2023",[84,6569,6570],{},"There are still legal discussions about the current Data Privacy Framework. Nobody can say for sure today how things will develop in the long run.",[93,6572,6574],{"id":6573},"what-does-this-mean-in-practice","What does this mean in practice?",[84,6576,6577],{},"For most small businesses, law firms and practices, it mainly means: document things well and keep an overview. A few typical questions:",[165,6579,6580,6583,6586],{},[168,6581,6582],{},"Which services do I use whose providers are based outside the EU?",[168,6584,6585],{},"Which personal data ends up there?",[168,6587,6588],{},"What does the data processing agreement (DPA) say?",[84,6590,6591],{},"That's not rocket science – it's simply part of proper data protection documentation. For legal assessments, your data protection adviser or a lawyer is the right contact.",[93,6593,6595],{"id":6594},"the-relaxed-alternative-data-in-europe","The relaxed alternative: data in Europe",[84,6597,6598],{},"Many people would rather not have to think about it so much. A simple solution is to run your most important services with open source on servers in Europe. Then your data stays where you want it.",[109,6600,6601,6609],{},[112,6602,6603],{},[115,6604,6605,6607],{},[118,6606,205],{},[118,6608,671],{},[125,6610,6611,6618,6625,6633,6639,6646],{},[115,6612,6613,6616],{},[130,6614,6615],{},"Files, calendar, contacts",[130,6617,32],{},[115,6619,6620,6622],{},[130,6621,2570],{},[130,6623,6624],{},"ONLYOFFICE or Collabora",[115,6626,6627,6630],{},[130,6628,6629],{},"Chat and video calls",[130,6631,6632],{},"Element (Matrix), Jitsi",[115,6634,6635,6637],{},[130,6636,282],{},[130,6638,288],{},[115,6640,6641,6644],{},[130,6642,6643],{},"Project planning",[130,6645,984],{},[115,6647,6648,6651],{},[130,6649,6650],{},"Customer management",[130,6652,6653],{},"e.g. EspoCRM or Odoo",[84,6655,4806,6656,331],{},[327,6657,330],{"href":329},[93,6659,6661],{"id":6660},"how-to-go-about-it","How to go about it",[297,6663,6664,6669,6675,6681],{},[168,6665,6666,6668],{},[88,6667,736],{}," Which online services do you use, and where are the providers based?",[168,6670,6671,6674],{},[88,6672,6673],{},"Set priorities:"," Where is your most sensitive data?",[168,6676,6677,6680],{},[88,6678,6679],{},"Test:"," Try a European open-source solution for one area.",[168,6682,6683,6685],{},[88,6684,754],{}," Write down what is stored where – that also helps when clients ask.",[93,6687,163],{"id":162},[165,6689,6690,6696,6702,6708],{},[168,6691,6692,6695],{},[88,6693,6694],{},"Adequacy decision:"," The European Commission determines that a country offers a comparable level of data protection. Data can then be transferred there more easily.",[168,6697,6698,6701],{},[88,6699,6700],{},"Standard contractual clauses:"," Contract texts provided by the European Commission, with which companies commit to certain safeguards.",[168,6703,6704,6707],{},[88,6705,6706],{},"Transfer impact assessment (TIA):"," An assessment of whether the data is adequately protected in the destination country.",[168,6709,6710,6713],{},[88,6711,6712],{},"Data processing agreement (DPA):"," The contract with a service provider that processes data on your behalf.",[93,6715,335],{"id":334},[84,6717,6718],{},"A small physiotherapy practice uses various online services for appointment reminders, email and file storage. It creates a simple table: which service, which provider, where it's based, what data is stored there, is there a DPA? It turns out that file storage, with findings and treatment plans, holds the most sensitive content.",[84,6720,6721],{},"The practice decides to move exactly that area first to a Nextcloud in a German data centre. The other services stay as they are for now. With little effort, the most important part gets sorted – without any big upheaval.",[93,6723,449],{"id":448},[84,6725,6726,6727,331],{},"The Schrems rulings show that data protection is an important topic with international services. There's no need to panic, but a clear overview helps. And if you like things simple, go for open source in Europe. I'm also happy to support you with data protection and information security as an external adviser – more under ",[327,6728,456],{"href":455},[84,6730,459,6731,331],{},[327,6732,463],{"href":462},{"title":465,"searchDepth":466,"depth":466,"links":6734},[6735,6736,6737,6738,6739,6740,6741],{"id":6519,"depth":466,"text":6520},{"id":6573,"depth":466,"text":6574},{"id":6594,"depth":466,"text":6595},{"id":6660,"depth":466,"text":6661},{"id":162,"depth":466,"text":163},{"id":334,"depth":466,"text":335},{"id":448,"depth":466,"text":449},"2026-05-12T00:00:00.000Z","Safe Harbor, Privacy Shield, Data Privacy Framework: a calm explanation of what the Schrems rulings are about and what you can take away from them.",{"src":2176},{},"/en/blog/schrems-iii-cjeu-ruling",{"title":6500,"description":6743},"en/3.blog/9.schrems-iii-cjeu-ruling","HkBerOm7De4-Bh7C8VPfMposNt_ZW6V14u5_ArOOZvQ",{"id":6751,"title":6752,"authors":6753,"badge":6756,"body":6757,"date":7059,"description":7060,"extension":478,"faq":54,"howto":54,"image":7061,"meta":7063,"navigation":509,"path":7064,"seo":7065,"stem":7066,"__hash__":7067},"posts_en/en/3.blog/5.eurostack-digital-sovereignty.md","EuroStack, Simply Explained – European Building Blocks for Your IT",[6754],{"name":70,"to":5586,"avatar":6755},{"src":73},{"label":1599},{"type":77,"value":6758,"toc":7050},[6759,6762,6769,6773,6776,6831,6834,6838,6863,6867,6870,6908,6913,6915,6939,6942,6946,6952,7026,7029,7033,7036,7039,7041,7046],[80,6760,6752],{"id":6761},"eurostack-simply-explained-european-building-blocks-for-your-it",[84,6763,6764,6765,6768],{},"Under the name ",[88,6766,6767],{},"EuroStack",", a nice idea is being discussed in Europe: lots of individual European technologies should fit together like building blocks – from the data centre all the way to the app on your phone. It sounds big, but it has a very practical side. Many of these building blocks already exist, and they're open source.",[93,6770,6772],{"id":6771},"what-does-stack-mean","What does \"stack\" mean?",[84,6774,6775],{},"A \"stack\" is simply a pile of layers that build on each other. In IT, it looks roughly like this:",[109,6777,6778,6790],{},[112,6779,6780],{},[115,6781,6782,6785,6788],{},[118,6783,6784],{},"Layer",[118,6786,6787],{},"What it includes",[118,6789,4097],{},[125,6791,6792,6805,6818],{},[115,6793,6794,6799,6802],{},[130,6795,6796],{},[88,6797,6798],{},"Infrastructure",[130,6800,6801],{},"Data centres and servers",[130,6803,6804],{},"European hosting providers like Hetzner, OVHcloud, IONOS or Scaleway",[115,6806,6807,6812,6815],{},[130,6808,6809],{},[88,6810,6811],{},"Platform",[130,6813,6814],{},"Operating systems and foundations",[130,6816,6817],{},"Linux, open databases",[115,6819,6820,6825,6828],{},[130,6821,6822],{},[88,6823,6824],{},"Applications",[130,6826,6827],{},"The programs you use",[130,6829,6830],{},"Nextcloud, Element, ONLYOFFICE, Collabora, OpenProject",[84,6832,6833],{},"The idea behind EuroStack: there should be good European options for every layer that work well together.",[93,6835,6837],{"id":6836},"why-is-this-exciting","Why is this exciting?",[165,6839,6840,6846,6851,6857],{},[168,6841,6842,6845],{},[88,6843,6844],{},"Choice:"," More providers mean more freedom.",[168,6847,6848,6850],{},[88,6849,1009],{}," Building blocks that use open formats are easier to combine and swap out.",[168,6852,6853,6856],{},[88,6854,6855],{},"Closeness:"," Support, data centres and contracts are often in your language and time zone.",[168,6858,6859,6862],{},[88,6860,6861],{},"Community:"," Many projects are developed further by a large, active community.",[93,6864,6866],{"id":6865},"what-you-can-already-use-today","What you can already use today",[84,6868,6869],{},"You don't have to wait for some big project to be finished. For small businesses, law firms, practices and families, mature solutions already exist:",[165,6871,6872,6878,6884,6890,6896,6902],{},[168,6873,6874,6877],{},[88,6875,6876],{},"Files, calendar, contacts:"," Nextcloud",[168,6879,6880,6883],{},[88,6881,6882],{},"Chat and video calls:"," Element (Matrix)",[168,6885,6886,6889],{},[88,6887,6888],{},"Office documents:"," ONLYOFFICE or Collabora",[168,6891,6892,6895],{},[88,6893,6894],{},"Passwords:"," Vaultwarden (works with the Bitwarden apps)",[168,6897,6898,6901],{},[88,6899,6900],{},"Single login:"," Keycloak",[168,6903,6904,6907],{},[88,6905,6906],{},"Email:"," European providers or your own mail server",[84,6909,6910,6911,331],{},"You'll find a bigger overview under ",[327,6912,330],{"href":329},[93,6914,1808],{"id":1807},[297,6916,6917,6923,6929,6934],{},[168,6918,6919,6922],{},[88,6920,6921],{},"Take stock:"," Which services do you use today?",[168,6924,6925,6928],{},[88,6926,6927],{},"Start small:"," Pick one area, for example the password manager or your files.",[168,6930,6931,6933],{},[88,6932,1045],{}," Try the new solution in parallel for a few weeks.",[168,6935,6936,6938],{},[88,6937,1063],{}," If it fits, the next building block follows.",[84,6940,6941],{},"There's no need for a big bang. Step by step is usually more relaxed and cheaper.",[93,6943,6945],{"id":6944},"what-open-standards-have-to-do-with-it","What \"open standards\" have to do with it",[84,6947,6948,6949,6951],{},"For building blocks from different providers to fit together, you need shared rules. These are ",[88,6950,5017],{}," – publicly documented formats and protocols that anyone may use. A few everyday examples:",[109,6953,6954,6965],{},[112,6955,6956],{},[115,6957,6958,6961,6963],{},[118,6959,6960],{},"Standard",[118,6962,6330],{},[118,6964,5031],{},[125,6966,6967,6977,6988,6997,7006,7015],{},[115,6968,6969,6972,6974],{},[130,6970,6971],{},"IMAP / SMTP",[130,6973,249],{},[130,6975,6976],{},"Any mail program works with any mail server",[115,6978,6979,6982,6985],{},[130,6980,6981],{},"CalDAV / CardDAV",[130,6983,6984],{},"Calendar and contacts",[130,6986,6987],{},"Appointments sync across phone, laptop and web",[115,6989,6990,6992,6994],{},[130,6991,221],{},[130,6993,218],{},[130,6995,6996],{},"Folders can be connected to many programs",[115,6998,6999,7001,7003],{},[130,7000,4473],{},[130,7002,2570],{},[130,7004,7005],{},"Files stay readable, whatever program you use",[115,7007,7008,7010,7012],{},[130,7009,274],{},[130,7011,271],{},[130,7013,7014],{},"Different servers can talk to each other",[115,7016,7017,7020,7023],{},[130,7018,7019],{},"OpenID Connect",[130,7021,7022],{},"Login",[130,7024,7025],{},"One login for many services",[84,7027,7028],{},"If you rely on standards like these, you can swap individual building blocks later without starting from scratch.",[93,7030,7032],{"id":7031},"a-practical-example","A practical example",[84,7034,7035],{},"Imagine a small tax office with six people. Their files live in a Nextcloud with a hosting provider in Germany. Calendars and contacts sync to their phones via CalDAV and CardDAV. For internal chat there's a small Matrix server, and passwords are kept in Vaultwarden. Everyone logs in through one shared login.",[84,7037,7038],{},"If the office ever wants to change hosting providers, the same software simply moves. The apps on the phones stay, and so do the habits. That's exactly the idea behind a well-assembled \"stack\".",[93,7040,449],{"id":448},[84,7042,7043,7044,331],{},"EuroStack is an idea that shows: Europe has lots of good IT building blocks, and open source plays a big part. The nice thing is that you can benefit from it today – with software you understand, on servers you know. If you'd like some guidance along the way, have a look at ",[327,7045,456],{"href":455},[84,7047,459,7048,331],{},[327,7049,463],{"href":462},{"title":465,"searchDepth":466,"depth":466,"links":7051},[7052,7053,7054,7055,7056,7057,7058],{"id":6771,"depth":466,"text":6772},{"id":6836,"depth":466,"text":6837},{"id":6865,"depth":466,"text":6866},{"id":1807,"depth":466,"text":1808},{"id":6944,"depth":466,"text":6945},{"id":7031,"depth":466,"text":7032},{"id":448,"depth":466,"text":449},"2026-05-05T00:00:00.000Z","What's behind the idea of \"EuroStack\"? A friendly overview of European and open-source building blocks you can already use today.",{"src":7062},"/img/blog/photo-1527176930608-09cb256ab504.webp",{},"/en/blog/eurostack-digital-sovereignty",{"title":6752,"description":7060},"en/3.blog/5.eurostack-digital-sovereignty","WguBY5XGDN-OfQH6dIUE6eMBjg3QSazON45RUqSXYtA",{"id":7069,"title":7070,"authors":7071,"badge":7074,"body":7075,"date":7364,"description":7365,"extension":478,"faq":54,"howto":54,"image":7366,"meta":7368,"navigation":509,"path":7369,"seo":7370,"stem":7371,"__hash__":7372},"posts_en/en/3.blog/4.cloud-act-2026.md","The CLOUD Act, Simply Explained – and What It Means for Your Data",[7072],{"name":70,"to":5586,"avatar":7073},{"src":73},{"label":5589},{"type":77,"value":7076,"toc":7353},[7077,7080,7087,7091,7094,7097,7101,7107,7110,7114,7117,7137,7140,7144,7147,7196,7201,7205,7228,7230,7256,7260,7263,7325,7328,7330,7336,7342,7344,7349],[80,7078,7070],{"id":7079},"the-cloud-act-simply-explained-and-what-it-means-for-your-data",[84,7081,7082,7083,7086],{},"When people talk about cloud services, one term keeps popping up: the ",[88,7084,7085],{},"CLOUD Act",". It sounds complicated, but the core idea is quick to explain. In this article we'll look at what it's about – and why many small businesses, law firms and medical practices are interested in solutions where they decide for themselves where their data lives.",[93,7088,7090],{"id":7089},"what-is-the-cloud-act","What is the CLOUD Act?",[84,7092,7093],{},"The CLOUD Act is a US law from 2018. The name stands for \"Clarifying Lawful Overseas Use of Data Act\". Put simply, it sets out under which conditions US authorities can request data from providers based in the US – even when that data is stored on servers outside the US.",[84,7095,7096],{},"This isn't a secret; it's publicly known. The big providers are open about it and describe in their documentation how they handle such requests.",[93,7098,7100],{"id":7099},"why-is-this-a-topic-in-europe","Why is this a topic in Europe?",[84,7102,7103,7104,7106],{},"In Europe, the ",[88,7105,102],{}," (General Data Protection Regulation) applies. It governs how personal data – names, addresses, emails, health data – may be processed. If data can be transferred to countries outside the EU, there needs to be a suitable legal basis for it.",[84,7108,7109],{},"For most businesses, that simply means: you should know which services you use, where your data is stored, and what your contract with the provider says. That's part of good documentation, no drama needed.",[93,7111,7113],{"id":7112},"who-is-this-especially-relevant-for","Who is this especially relevant for?",[84,7115,7116],{},"Basically everyone who works with personal data. People who tend to pay extra attention include:",[165,7118,7119,7125,7131],{},[168,7120,7121,7124],{},[88,7122,7123],{},"Law firms and tax offices"," – because of confidentiality towards clients",[168,7126,7127,7130],{},[88,7128,7129],{},"Medical and therapy practices"," – because of sensitive health data",[168,7132,7133,7136],{},[88,7134,7135],{},"Clubs and small businesses"," – who simply want peace of mind",[84,7138,7139],{},"If you're unsure what applies to your situation, it's best to talk to your data protection adviser or a lawyer. I can support you with the technical side, but I don't replace legal advice.",[93,7141,7143],{"id":7142},"a-simple-alternative-data-in-europe","A simple alternative: data in Europe",[84,7145,7146],{},"If you like, you can run your most important services with European providers or on your own server. With open source, that works really well today:",[109,7148,7149,7159],{},[112,7150,7151],{},[115,7152,7153,7156],{},[118,7154,7155],{},"Before",[118,7157,7158],{},"Open-source alternative",[125,7160,7161,7168,7175,7182,7189],{},[115,7162,7163,7166],{},[130,7164,7165],{},"OneDrive, SharePoint, Dropbox",[130,7167,32],{},[115,7169,7170,7173],{},[130,7171,7172],{},"Teams, Slack",[130,7174,694],{},[115,7176,7177,7180],{},[130,7178,7179],{},"Word, Excel online",[130,7181,6624],{},[115,7183,7184,7187],{},[130,7185,7186],{},"Cloud password manager",[130,7188,288],{},[115,7190,7191,7194],{},[130,7192,7193],{},"One login for all services",[130,7195,48],{},[84,7197,7198,7199,331],{},"These programs run, for example, in data centres in Germany or on a device in your office. That way you know exactly where your data is. You'll find more examples under ",[327,7200,330],{"href":329},[93,7202,7204],{"id":7203},"a-relaxed-way-to-go-about-it","A relaxed way to go about it",[297,7206,7207,7212,7217,7223],{},[168,7208,7209,7211],{},[88,7210,3883],{}," Which cloud services do you actually use?",[168,7213,7214,6674],{},[88,7215,7216],{},"Important things first:",[168,7218,7219,7222],{},[88,7220,7221],{},"Test one thing:"," For example, move your file storage to Nextcloud first.",[168,7224,7225,7227],{},[88,7226,2631],{}," If that goes well, tackle the next area.",[93,7229,163],{"id":162},[165,7231,7232,7238,7244,7250],{},[168,7233,7234,7237],{},[88,7235,7236],{},"Personal data:"," Any information that can be linked to a person.",[168,7239,7240,7243],{},[88,7241,7242],{},"Data processing:"," A service provider processes data on your behalf, such as a cloud provider. For this you sign a data processing agreement (DPA).",[168,7245,7246,7249],{},[88,7247,7248],{},"Third country:"," A country outside the EU or the European Economic Area.",[168,7251,7252,7255],{},[88,7253,7254],{},"Data centre location:"," The place where the servers physically stand.",[93,7257,7259],{"id":7258},"what-you-can-write-in-your-documentation","What you can write in your documentation",[84,7261,7262],{},"A simple overview is often enough. For example:",[109,7264,7265,7282],{},[112,7266,7267],{},[115,7268,7269,7271,7274,7276,7279],{},[118,7270,347],{},[118,7272,7273],{},"Provider",[118,7275,3076],{},[118,7277,7278],{},"Which data",[118,7280,7281],{},"DPA in place?",[125,7283,7284,7299,7312],{},[115,7285,7286,7288,7291,7293,7296],{},[130,7287,249],{},[130,7289,7290],{},"…",[130,7292,7290],{},[130,7294,7295],{},"client correspondence",[130,7297,7298],{},"yes/no",[115,7300,7301,7303,7305,7307,7310],{},[130,7302,218],{},[130,7304,7290],{},[130,7306,7290],{},[130,7308,7309],{},"quotes, contracts",[130,7311,7298],{},[115,7313,7314,7316,7318,7320,7323],{},[130,7315,271],{},[130,7317,7290],{},[130,7319,7290],{},[130,7321,7322],{},"internal coordination",[130,7324,7298],{},[84,7326,7327],{},"When clients ask where their data is stored, you'll have the answer ready straight away. And you'll see at a glance where it might be worth trying an alternative.",[93,7329,427],{"id":426},[84,7331,7332,7335],{},[88,7333,7334],{},"Do I have to get rid of all US services now?","\nNo. This isn't about bans, it's about making a conscious decision. Many businesses start with the area where the most sensitive data lives.",[84,7337,7338,7341],{},[88,7339,7340],{},"Is choosing a data centre in the EU enough?","\nLocation is an important building block. Just as important are the contract, the subprocessors and who runs the service. With open source on your own or a European server, all of that is in your hands.",[93,7343,449],{"id":448},[84,7345,7346,7347,331],{},"The CLOUD Act is no reason to panic, but it's a good reason to think about where your data should live. Open-source solutions in Europe are a practical way to keep that in your own hands. If you'd like advice on this, have a look at ",[327,7348,456],{"href":455},[84,7350,459,7351,331],{},[327,7352,463],{"href":462},{"title":465,"searchDepth":466,"depth":466,"links":7354},[7355,7356,7357,7358,7359,7360,7361,7362,7363],{"id":7089,"depth":466,"text":7090},{"id":7099,"depth":466,"text":7100},{"id":7112,"depth":466,"text":7113},{"id":7142,"depth":466,"text":7143},{"id":7203,"depth":466,"text":7204},{"id":162,"depth":466,"text":163},{"id":7258,"depth":466,"text":7259},{"id":426,"depth":466,"text":427},{"id":448,"depth":466,"text":449},"2026-04-22T00:00:00.000Z","What is the CLOUD Act, and why are many businesses interested in cloud solutions in Europe? A calm explanation without jargon.",{"src":7367},"/img/blog/photo-1639762681485-074b7f938ba0.webp",{},"/en/blog/cloud-act-2026",{"title":7070,"description":7365},"en/3.blog/4.cloud-act-2026","-kNLPS6ngLzRbC3vDEQujAUJho5VyETCb2u3moTY7Eg",{"id":7374,"title":7375,"authors":7376,"badge":7379,"body":7380,"date":7670,"description":7671,"extension":478,"faq":54,"howto":54,"image":7672,"meta":7674,"navigation":509,"path":7675,"seo":7676,"stem":7677,"__hash__":7678},"posts_en/en/3.blog/6.microsoft-teams-alternative.md","An Alternative to Microsoft Teams – Introducing Element and Matrix",[7377],{"name":70,"to":5586,"avatar":7378},{"src":73},{"label":521},{"type":77,"value":7381,"toc":7655},[7382,7385,7394,7398,7406,7409,7434,7438,7441,7445,7546,7549,7553,7557,7560,7564,7567,7571,7574,7578,7581,7585,7588,7590,7596,7602,7608,7612,7638,7640,7651],[80,7383,7375],{"id":7384},"an-alternative-to-microsoft-teams-introducing-element-and-matrix",[84,7386,7387,7388,7390,7391,7393],{},"Microsoft Teams is the standard for chat and video calls in many offices. If you look around for an open-source alternative, sooner or later you'll come across ",[88,7389,277],{}," – an app built on the open standard ",[88,7392,274],{},". Here's what Element can do and who it's a good fit for.",[93,7395,7397],{"id":7396},"what-are-matrix-and-element","What are Matrix and Element?",[84,7399,7400,7402,7403,7405],{},[88,7401,274],{}," is an open communication protocol. Think of it like email, but for chat: anyone can run their own server, and all servers can talk to each other. ",[88,7404,277],{}," is the best-known app for it – available in the browser and for Windows, macOS, Linux, iPhone and Android.",[84,7407,7408],{},"The key points at a glance:",[165,7410,7411,7417,7422,7428],{},[168,7412,7413,7416],{},[88,7414,7415],{},"End-to-end encryption"," is on by default, including for video calls",[168,7418,7419,7421],{},[88,7420,1475],{}," You can chat with other organisations, even if they run their own server",[168,7423,7424,7427],{},[88,7425,7426],{},"Your server, your choice:"," in a German data centre or on your own premises",[168,7429,7430,7433],{},[88,7431,7432],{},"Open source:"," The code is open for anyone to inspect",[93,7435,7437],{"id":7436},"who-already-uses-matrix","Who already uses Matrix?",[84,7439,7440],{},"Matrix is used by large organisations, for example the German armed forces (BwMessenger), German healthcare (TI-Messenger) and the French public administration (Tchap). Many universities also run their own servers. That shows: the technology is mature.",[93,7442,7444],{"id":7443},"element-and-teams-compared","Element and Teams compared",[109,7446,7447,7459],{},[112,7448,7449],{},[115,7450,7451,7454,7456],{},[118,7452,7453],{},"Feature",[118,7455,694],{},[118,7457,7458],{},"Microsoft Teams",[125,7460,7461,7470,7479,7488,7498,7509,7519,7529,7537],{},[115,7462,7463,7466,7468],{},[130,7464,7465],{},"Chat (1:1, groups, rooms)",[130,7467,1344],{},[130,7469,1344],{},[115,7471,7472,7475,7477],{},[130,7473,7474],{},"Audio and video calls",[130,7476,1344],{},[130,7478,1344],{},[115,7480,7481,7484,7486],{},[130,7482,7483],{},"Screen sharing",[130,7485,1344],{},[130,7487,1344],{},[115,7489,7490,7493,7496],{},[130,7491,7492],{},"File sharing",[130,7494,7495],{},"✅ (pairs well with Nextcloud)",[130,7497,1344],{},[115,7499,7500,7503,7506],{},[130,7501,7502],{},"Chatting with other organisations",[130,7504,7505],{},"✅ via federation",[130,7507,7508],{},"✅ via guest access",[115,7510,7511,7513,7516],{},[130,7512,7415],{},[130,7514,7515],{},"✅ by default",[130,7517,7518],{},"partly",[115,7520,7521,7524,7526],{},[130,7522,7523],{},"Run your own server",[130,7525,1344],{},[130,7527,7528],{},"❌",[115,7530,7531,7533,7535],{},[130,7532,1355],{},[130,7534,1344],{},[130,7536,7528],{},[115,7538,7539,7542,7544],{},[130,7540,7541],{},"Per-person licence",[130,7543,7528],{},[130,7545,1344],{},[84,7547,7548],{},"Teams is strong if you're deeply invested in the Microsoft world. Element shines if encryption, independence and your own server matter to you.",[93,7550,7552],{"id":7551},"switching-in-five-steps","Switching in five steps",[1281,7554,7556],{"id":7555},"_1-take-stock","1. Take stock",[84,7558,7559],{},"Which Teams features do you actually use? Usually it's chat, calls and files.",[1281,7561,7563],{"id":7562},"_2-set-up-the-server","2. Set up the server",[84,7565,7566],{},"Your own Matrix server is set up, including video calls.",[1281,7568,7570],{"id":7569},"_3-sort-out-logins","3. Sort out logins",[84,7572,7573],{},"Everyone gets an account. If you like, logins can go through a single sign-on for all services.",[1281,7575,7577],{"id":7576},"_4-a-quick-introduction","4. A quick introduction",[84,7579,7580],{},"Element feels familiar. A short walkthrough is usually enough.",[1281,7582,7584],{"id":7583},"_5-run-both-in-parallel","5. Run both in parallel",[84,7586,7587],{},"Use both for a few weeks, then decide. That way there's no hard cut.",[93,7589,427],{"id":426},[84,7591,7592,7595],{},[88,7593,7594],{},"Can I chat with people who still use Teams?","\nThere are bridges to other services for the transition period. Often it's easier, though, to send external contacts a link to the video call – it works in the browser without installing anything.",[84,7597,7598,7601],{},[88,7599,7600],{},"How many people fit into a video call?","\nFor typical team meetings, Element Call works well. For very large events there are specialised open-source tools like BigBlueButton or Jitsi.",[84,7603,7604,7607],{},[88,7605,7606],{},"Do I need a server in my office?","\nNo. The server can also run in a data centre in Germany. Both are possible.",[93,7609,7611],{"id":7610},"tips-for-a-good-start","Tips for a good start",[165,7613,7614,7620,7626,7632],{},[168,7615,7616,7619],{},[88,7617,7618],{},"Set up rooms sensibly:"," Better a few clearly named rooms than lots of small ones. For example \"Team\", \"Projects\" and \"Coffee corner\".",[168,7621,7622,7625],{},[88,7623,7624],{},"Save your recovery key:"," Set it up right at the start and store it in your password manager. Then you can get back to old messages on new devices.",[168,7627,7628,7631],{},[88,7629,7630],{},"Adjust notifications:"," All messages for important rooms, only mentions for the rest – it saves your nerves.",[168,7633,7634,7637],{},[88,7635,7636],{},"Use the desktop app:"," In the office, the app for Windows, macOS or Linux is often more pleasant than the browser.",[93,7639,449],{"id":448},[84,7641,7642,7643,7645,7646,7648,7649,331],{},"Element is a friendly, mature alternative to Teams – especially for small teams, law firms and practices that value confidentiality. I offer exactly that as ",[88,7644,271],{},". More under ",[327,7647,1537],{"href":1536},", and you'll find an overview of other alternatives under ",[327,7650,330],{"href":329},[84,7652,459,7653,331],{},[327,7654,463],{"href":462},{"title":465,"searchDepth":466,"depth":466,"links":7656},[7657,7658,7659,7660,7667,7668,7669],{"id":7396,"depth":466,"text":7397},{"id":7436,"depth":466,"text":7437},{"id":7443,"depth":466,"text":7444},{"id":7551,"depth":466,"text":7552,"children":7661},[7662,7663,7664,7665,7666],{"id":7555,"depth":1547,"text":7556},{"id":7562,"depth":1547,"text":7563},{"id":7569,"depth":1547,"text":7570},{"id":7576,"depth":1547,"text":7577},{"id":7583,"depth":1547,"text":7584},{"id":426,"depth":466,"text":427},{"id":7610,"depth":466,"text":7611},{"id":448,"depth":466,"text":449},"2026-03-18T00:00:00.000Z","Chat, video calls and screen sharing – with open source. Here's how Element works as a Teams alternative, even for small teams.",{"src":7673},"/img/blog/photo-1573497019940-1c28c88b4f3e.webp",{},"/en/blog/microsoft-teams-alternative",{"title":7375,"description":7671},"en/3.blog/6.microsoft-teams-alternative","CjI0UdpbA8SVNtOWNkyHOKCx4p-MTggDWrOk6O2hZg0",{"id":7680,"title":7681,"authors":7682,"badge":7685,"body":7686,"date":8030,"description":8031,"extension":478,"faq":54,"howto":54,"image":8032,"meta":8034,"navigation":509,"path":8035,"seo":8036,"stem":8037,"__hash__":8038},"posts_en/en/3.blog/7.nextcloud-vs-onedrive-sharepoint.md","Nextcloud, OneDrive or SharePoint? A Friendly Comparison",[7683],{"name":70,"to":5586,"avatar":7684},{"src":73},{"label":75},{"type":77,"value":7687,"toc":8019},[7688,7691,7697,7701,7720,7724,7859,7863,7866,7877,7881,7884,7912,7916,7942,7946,7949,7981,7985,7988,7991,7993,7999,8005,8007,8015],[80,7689,7681],{"id":7690},"nextcloud-onedrive-or-sharepoint-a-friendly-comparison",[84,7692,7693,7694,7696],{},"If your team shares files, you'll often end up with OneDrive or SharePoint – both are part of Microsoft 365. A popular open-source alternative is ",[88,7695,32],{},". All three do their job well, but they have different strengths. Here's a calm comparison so you can decide what fits you.",[93,7698,7700],{"id":7699},"the-three-in-brief","The three in brief",[165,7702,7703,7709,7715],{},[168,7704,7705,7708],{},[88,7706,7707],{},"OneDrive"," – personal cloud storage, included in Microsoft 365",[168,7710,7711,7714],{},[88,7712,7713],{},"SharePoint"," – file storage and intranet for teams and companies",[168,7716,7717,7719],{},[88,7718,32],{}," – an open-source platform for files, calendars, contacts and more, on a server of your choice",[93,7721,7723],{"id":7722},"the-comparison","The comparison",[109,7725,7726,7739],{},[112,7727,7728],{},[115,7729,7730,7733,7735,7737],{},[118,7731,7732],{},"Criterion",[118,7734,7707],{},[118,7736,7713],{},[118,7738,32],{},[125,7740,7741,7754,7765,7776,7788,7799,7812,7824,7836,7849],{},[115,7742,7743,7746,7749,7751],{},[130,7744,7745],{},"Where is the data?",[130,7747,7748],{},"Microsoft data centres",[130,7750,7748],{},[130,7752,7753],{},"A server of your choice, e.g. in Germany or on site",[115,7755,7756,7758,7760,7762],{},[130,7757,959],{},[130,7759,1344],{},[130,7761,1344],{},[130,7763,7764],{},"✅ with ONLYOFFICE or Collabora",[115,7766,7767,7770,7772,7774],{},[130,7768,7769],{},"Versions",[130,7771,1344],{},[130,7773,1344],{},[130,7775,1344],{},[115,7777,7778,7781,7783,7785],{},[130,7779,7780],{},"Sharing via link",[130,7782,1344],{},[130,7784,1344],{},[130,7786,7787],{},"✅ with password and expiry date",[115,7789,7790,7793,7795,7797],{},[130,7791,7792],{},"Phone apps",[130,7794,1344],{},[130,7796,1344],{},[130,7798,1344],{},[115,7800,7801,7804,7807,7809],{},[130,7802,7803],{},"Desktop sync",[130,7805,7806],{},"Windows, Mac",[130,7808,7806],{},[130,7810,7811],{},"Windows, Mac, Linux",[115,7813,7814,7816,7819,7821],{},[130,7815,7415],{},[130,7817,7818],{},"only partly",[130,7820,1372],{},[130,7822,7823],{},"optional for individual folders",[115,7825,7826,7828,7831,7833],{},[130,7827,5048],{},[130,7829,7830],{},"via Outlook",[130,7832,7830],{},[130,7834,7835],{},"built in",[115,7837,7838,7841,7844,7846],{},[130,7839,7840],{},"Costs",[130,7842,7843],{},"per-person licence",[130,7845,7843],{},[130,7847,7848],{},"server and support",[115,7850,7851,7853,7855,7857],{},[130,7852,1355],{},[130,7854,7528],{},[130,7856,7528],{},[130,7858,1344],{},[93,7860,7862],{"id":7861},"when-onedrive-or-sharepoint-is-a-good-fit","When OneDrive or SharePoint is a good fit",[84,7864,7865],{},"To be honest: there are situations where Microsoft is the obvious choice.",[165,7867,7868,7871,7874],{},[168,7869,7870],{},"You work very closely with other Microsoft services that are tightly connected.",[168,7872,7873],{},"Your clients or partners specifically expect Microsoft tools.",[168,7875,7876],{},"You don't want to deal with a server of your own and you're happy with the subscription.",[93,7878,7880],{"id":7879},"when-nextcloud-is-a-good-fit","When Nextcloud is a good fit",[84,7882,7883],{},"Nextcloud is a great choice if:",[165,7885,7886,7892,7898,7903,7909],{},[168,7887,7888,7889,4955],{},"you want to know ",[88,7890,7891],{},"exactly where your data is",[168,7893,7894,7895,4955],{},"you don't want to pay ",[88,7896,7897],{},"per-person licences",[168,7899,7900,7902],{},[88,7901,5013],{}," matter to you, so you can switch any time,",[168,7904,7905,7906,4955],{},"you want calendar, contacts and files ",[88,7907,7908],{},"in one place",[168,7910,7911],{},"you handle confidential data, for example in a law firm or practice.",[93,7913,7915],{"id":7914},"how-does-a-move-work","How does a move work?",[297,7917,7918,7924,7930,7936],{},[168,7919,7920,7923],{},[88,7921,7922],{},"Transfer data:"," Proven tools can copy files from OneDrive or SharePoint to Nextcloud.",[168,7925,7926,7929],{},[88,7927,7928],{},"File formats stay the same:"," Word, Excel and PowerPoint files keep working and can be edited in the browser.",[168,7931,7932,7935],{},[88,7933,7934],{},"Calendar and contacts:"," Can be moved over using open standards (CalDAV, CardDAV).",[168,7937,7938,7941],{},[88,7939,7940],{},"A quick introduction:"," It feels familiar – a short walkthrough is usually enough.",[93,7943,7945],{"id":7944},"what-to-consider-when-deciding","What to consider when deciding",[84,7947,7948],{},"A few questions help you find the right solution:",[297,7950,7951,7957,7963,7969,7975],{},[168,7952,7953,7956],{},[88,7954,7955],{},"How many people use the system?"," With licensing models, costs grow with every person.",[168,7958,7959,7962],{},[88,7960,7961],{},"What data is stored there?"," The more confidential, the more important it is to choose the storage location yourself.",[168,7964,7965,7968],{},[88,7966,7967],{},"Who do you work with?"," If partners work a lot with Microsoft, that's no obstacle – Nextcloud opens and shares Office files without any problem.",[168,7970,7971,7974],{},[88,7972,7973],{},"Who takes care of operations?"," With Nextcloud, that's either someone on the team or a service provider.",[168,7976,7977,7980],{},[88,7978,7979],{},"How important is independence to you?"," Open formats and free software make later switches easy.",[93,7982,7984],{"id":7983},"a-look-at-everyday-use","A look at everyday use",[84,7986,7987],{},"In day-to-day work, the differences are smaller than many people think. Folders appear on your computer as usual, files can be shared with a right-click, and Office documents open in the browser. The Nextcloud app for Windows and macOS also offers \"virtual files\": files are only downloaded when you open them, saving space on your hard drive.",[84,7989,7990],{},"For sharing outside your team, Nextcloud offers a few handy extras: a password on the link, an expiry date, the option to allow uploads only, and, if you like, a notification when someone has downloaded the file.",[93,7992,427],{"id":426},[84,7994,7995,7998],{},[88,7996,7997],{},"Can I use OneDrive and Nextcloud in parallel for a while?","\nYes – that's actually recommended. It gives the team time to settle in.",[84,8000,8001,8004],{},[88,8002,8003],{},"What about Teams channels that contain files?","\nThose files technically live in SharePoint and can be transferred as well.",[93,8006,449],{"id":448},[84,8008,8009,8010,4601,8013,331],{},"OneDrive and SharePoint are solid tools, especially if you already work a lot with Microsoft. Nextcloud is a strong open-source alternative for anyone who values control, independence and predictable costs. I offer exactly that as ",[88,8011,8012],{},"Cloud",[327,8014,1537],{"href":1536},[84,8016,459,8017,331],{},[327,8018,463],{"href":462},{"title":465,"searchDepth":466,"depth":466,"links":8020},[8021,8022,8023,8024,8025,8026,8027,8028,8029],{"id":7699,"depth":466,"text":7700},{"id":7722,"depth":466,"text":7723},{"id":7861,"depth":466,"text":7862},{"id":7879,"depth":466,"text":7880},{"id":7914,"depth":466,"text":7915},{"id":7944,"depth":466,"text":7945},{"id":7983,"depth":466,"text":7984},{"id":426,"depth":466,"text":427},{"id":448,"depth":466,"text":449},"2026-02-14T00:00:00.000Z","Three ways to share files as a team. What OneDrive, SharePoint and Nextcloud each do well and which one suits whom.",{"src":8033},"/img/blog/photo-1544197150-b99a580bb7a8.webp",{},"/en/blog/nextcloud-vs-onedrive-sharepoint",{"title":7681,"description":8031},"en/3.blog/7.nextcloud-vs-onedrive-sharepoint","9MlbPzPSp9VoJTT_1geT5-AFl4xWCaoyvyEp28kovOk",{"id":8040,"title":8041,"authors":8042,"badge":8045,"body":8046,"date":8375,"description":8376,"extension":478,"faq":54,"howto":54,"image":8377,"meta":8379,"navigation":509,"path":8380,"seo":8381,"stem":8382,"__hash__":8383},"posts_en/en/3.blog/8.microsoft-365-schools.md","Open Source in Schools – Which Solutions Exist and What Works Well",[8043],{"name":70,"to":5586,"avatar":8044},{"src":73},{"label":1599},{"type":77,"value":8047,"toc":8365},[8048,8051,8054,8058,8061,8120,8134,8138,8167,8171,8232,8236,8239,8259,8261,8285,8290,8294,8297,8323,8327,8353,8356,8358,8361],[80,8049,8041],{"id":8050},"open-source-in-schools-which-solutions-exist-and-what-works-well",[84,8052,8053],{},"Schools need digital tools these days: for assignments, files, chat and remote lessons. Alongside Microsoft 365, many German states and school authorities use their own platforms, often built on open-source software. It's a nice development – and it shows how ready for everyday use open software has become.",[93,8055,8057],{"id":8056},"what-the-german-states-offer","What the German states offer",[84,8059,8060],{},"In Germany, education is a matter for the individual states. That's why almost every state has developed its own offerings. A few examples:",[109,8062,8063,8074],{},[112,8064,8065],{},[115,8066,8067,8070,8072],{},[118,8068,8069],{},"State",[118,8071,6811],{},[118,8073,556],{},[125,8075,8076,8087,8098,8109],{},[115,8077,8078,8081,8084],{},[130,8079,8080],{},"Bavaria",[130,8082,8083],{},"ByCS (BayernCloud Schule)",[130,8085,8086],{},"Learning platform, messenger and more",[115,8088,8089,8092,8095],{},[130,8090,8091],{},"North Rhine-Westphalia",[130,8093,8094],{},"LOGINEO NRW",[130,8096,8097],{},"Learning and work platform for schools",[115,8099,8100,8103,8106],{},[130,8101,8102],{},"Rhineland-Palatinate",[130,8104,8105],{},"Schulcampus RLP",[130,8107,8108],{},"Access to learning and communication services",[115,8110,8111,8114,8117],{},[130,8112,8113],{},"Hesse",[130,8115,8116],{},"Schulportal Hessen",[130,8118,8119],{},"Central platform for schools",[84,8121,8122,8123,8126,8127,8130,8131,8133],{},"Many of these use proven open-source building blocks like ",[88,8124,8125],{},"Moodle"," (learning platform), ",[88,8128,8129],{},"BigBlueButton"," (remote lessons) or ",[88,8132,32],{}," (files). There are also commercial solutions like IServ, which many schools use.",[93,8135,8137],{"id":8136},"why-open-source-suits-schools","Why open source suits schools",[165,8139,8140,8146,8151,8156,8162],{},[168,8141,8142,8145],{},[88,8143,8144],{},"Data in Europe:"," The platforms usually run in data centres in Germany.",[168,8147,8148,8150],{},[88,8149,1027],{}," No licence per pupil.",[168,8152,8153,8155],{},[88,8154,1702],{}," Schools and states can adapt the software to their needs.",[168,8157,8158,8161],{},[88,8159,8160],{},"Learning effect:"," Kids learn that there's more than one big software ecosystem.",[168,8163,8164,8166],{},[88,8165,184],{}," Work can easily be exported and reused.",[93,8168,8170],{"id":8169},"typical-building-blocks-at-a-glance","Typical building blocks at a glance",[109,8172,8173,8181],{},[112,8174,8175],{},[115,8176,8177,8179],{},[118,8178,668],{},[118,8180,671],{},[125,8182,8183,8190,8196,8204,8210,8216,8224],{},[115,8184,8185,8188],{},[130,8186,8187],{},"Files and folders",[130,8189,32],{},[115,8191,8192,8194],{},[130,8193,2570],{},[130,8195,6624],{},[115,8197,8198,8201],{},[130,8199,8200],{},"Remote lessons",[130,8202,8203],{},"BigBlueButton or Jitsi",[115,8205,8206,8208],{},[130,8207,271],{},[130,8209,694],{},[115,8211,8212,8214],{},[130,8213,1650],{},[130,8215,8125],{},[115,8217,8218,8221],{},[130,8219,8220],{},"Surveys",[130,8222,8223],{},"Nextcloud Forms",[115,8225,8226,8229],{},[130,8227,8228],{},"Whiteboard",[130,8230,8231],{},"Excalidraw or the Nextcloud whiteboard",[93,8233,8235],{"id":8234},"what-families-clubs-and-tutors-can-take-away","What families, clubs and tutors can take away",[84,8237,8238],{},"What works in schools works on a small scale too:",[165,8240,8241,8247,8253],{},[168,8242,8243,8246],{},[88,8244,8245],{},"Families"," can keep photos, dates and documents in a shared Nextcloud.",[168,8248,8249,8252],{},[88,8250,8251],{},"Clubs"," organise themselves with chat, calendar and file storage – without per-member licence fees.",[168,8254,8255,8258],{},[88,8256,8257],{},"Tutors"," use video calls and shared folders for worksheets.",[93,8260,1808],{"id":1807},[297,8262,8263,8269,8274,8280],{},[168,8264,8265,8268],{},[88,8266,8267],{},"Think about what you need:"," Files? Chat? Video calls?",[168,8270,8271,8273],{},[88,8272,6927],{}," Begin with one building block, for example a shared Nextcloud.",[168,8275,8276,8279],{},[88,8277,8278],{},"Bring everyone along:"," A short introduction helps everyone feel comfortable.",[168,8281,8282,8284],{},[88,8283,1063],{}," If it goes well, add more tools.",[84,8286,8287,8288,331],{},"If you'd rather learn a few basics at your own pace, have a look at my ",[327,8289,1839],{"href":1109},[93,8291,8293],{"id":8292},"tips-for-parents","Tips for parents",[84,8295,8296],{},"You can borrow a few ideas from schools at home too:",[165,8298,8299,8305,8311,8317],{},[168,8300,8301,8304],{},[88,8302,8303],{},"Shared family calendar:"," With Nextcloud and CalDAV, parents' evenings, training and doctor's appointments show up on every phone.",[168,8306,8307,8310],{},[88,8308,8309],{},"Share photos safely:"," Instead of sending pictures to big group chats, albums can be shared via a password-protected link.",[168,8312,8313,8316],{},[88,8314,8315],{},"Open office programs:"," LibreOffice is free and perfectly fine for presentations, job applications and homework.",[168,8318,8319,8322],{},[88,8320,8321],{},"Talking about data:"," Chat with your kids about which apps collect which data – no finger-wagging needed.",[93,8324,8326],{"id":8325},"tips-for-clubs-and-tutors","Tips for clubs and tutors",[165,8328,8329,8335,8341,8347],{},[168,8330,8331,8334],{},[88,8332,8333],{},"One place for everything:"," Statutes, minutes and member lists in a shared Nextcloud folder with clear permissions.",[168,8336,8337,8340],{},[88,8338,8339],{},"Chat for the committee:"," A Matrix room where arrangements don't get lost among private messages.",[168,8342,8343,8346],{},[88,8344,8345],{},"Video calls without accounts:"," With Jitsi or BigBlueButton, a link is all it takes – participants don't need to install anything.",[168,8348,8349,8352],{},[88,8350,8351],{},"Forms:"," Sign-ups and surveys can be created with Nextcloud Forms.",[84,8354,8355],{},"Because there's no per-person licence, this is especially attractive for clubs with many members.",[93,8357,449],{"id":448},[84,8359,8360],{},"Many schools show how well open source works in everyday life. The nice thing: the same tools are available to you too – for your family, your club or your small office.",[84,8362,459,8363,331],{},[327,8364,463],{"href":462},{"title":465,"searchDepth":466,"depth":466,"links":8366},[8367,8368,8369,8370,8371,8372,8373,8374],{"id":8056,"depth":466,"text":8057},{"id":8136,"depth":466,"text":8137},{"id":8169,"depth":466,"text":8170},{"id":8234,"depth":466,"text":8235},{"id":1807,"depth":466,"text":1808},{"id":8292,"depth":466,"text":8293},{"id":8325,"depth":466,"text":8326},{"id":448,"depth":466,"text":449},"2026-01-28T00:00:00.000Z","Many German states offer their own learning platforms built on open source. An overview – and what families, clubs and tutors can learn from it.",{"src":8378},"/img/blog/photo-1503676260728-1c00da094a0b.webp",{},"/en/blog/microsoft-365-schools",{"title":8041,"description":8376},"en/3.blog/8.microsoft-365-schools","TsaZ7I36XMc5y3VJNaiR6N-aqFgi4LhXORRQyFpKvZo",{"id":8385,"title":8386,"authors":8387,"badge":8390,"body":8391,"date":8659,"description":8660,"extension":478,"faq":54,"howto":54,"image":8661,"meta":8663,"navigation":509,"path":8664,"seo":8665,"stem":8666,"__hash__":8667},"posts_en/en/3.blog/3.eu-commission-matrix.md","Matrix on the Rise – Why More and More Organisations Use It",[8388],{"name":70,"to":5586,"avatar":8389},{"src":73},{"label":1599},{"type":77,"value":8392,"toc":8647},[8393,8396,8402,8406,8411,8415,8445,8447,8450,8496,8499,8503,8506,8532,8536,8539,8577,8581,8588,8606,8608,8614,8620,8626,8630,8633,8635,8643],[80,8394,8386],{"id":8395},"matrix-on-the-rise-why-more-and-more-organisations-use-it",[84,8397,8398,8399,8401],{},"More and more large organisations in Europe use ",[88,8400,274],{}," for their communication – an open standard for chat and video calls. That's a lovely confirmation: open source has long been ready for everyday use, even where confidentiality matters. And the best part: what works for big organisations works just as well in a small office.",[93,8403,8405],{"id":8404},"what-is-matrix","What is Matrix?",[84,8407,8408,8409,331],{},"Matrix is an open communication protocol – a shared \"language\" that chat apps use to talk to each other. Just like email, anyone can run their own server, and everyone can still message each other. The best-known app for it is called ",[88,8410,277],{},[1281,8412,8414],{"id":8413},"what-makes-matrix-special","What makes Matrix special",[165,8416,8417,8422,8428,8434,8439],{},[168,8418,8419,8421],{},[88,8420,1469],{}," Only the people in the conversation can read messages.",[168,8423,8424,8427],{},[88,8425,8426],{},"Decentralised:"," There's no single provider in control.",[168,8429,8430,8433],{},[88,8431,8432],{},"Federated:"," Servers can talk to each other – just like email.",[168,8435,8436,8438],{},[88,8437,7432],{}," The code is open for anyone to inspect.",[168,8440,8441,8444],{},[88,8442,8443],{},"Bridges:"," Other services can be connected if you want.",[93,8446,7437],{"id":7436},[84,8448,8449],{},"A few well-known examples:",[109,8451,8452,8462],{},[112,8453,8454],{},[115,8455,8456,8459],{},[118,8457,8458],{},"Organisation",[118,8460,8461],{},"Use",[125,8463,8464,8472,8480,8488],{},[115,8465,8466,8469],{},[130,8467,8468],{},"German armed forces",[130,8470,8471],{},"BwMessenger for internal communication",[115,8473,8474,8477],{},[130,8475,8476],{},"German healthcare",[130,8478,8479],{},"gematik's TI-Messenger is based on Matrix",[115,8481,8482,8485],{},[130,8483,8484],{},"French public administration",[130,8486,8487],{},"The \"Tchap\" messenger",[115,8489,8490,8493],{},[130,8491,8492],{},"Universities",[130,8494,8495],{},"Many run their own Matrix servers",[84,8497,8498],{},"Matrix is also used and tested for communication at European level.",[93,8500,8502],{"id":8501},"what-does-this-mean-for-you","What does this mean for you?",[84,8504,8505],{},"When so many organisations rely on Matrix, the standard becomes more interesting for everyone else too:",[297,8507,8508,8514,8520,8526],{},[168,8509,8510,8513],{},[88,8511,8512],{},"Compatible:"," You can message other Matrix users, no matter which server they're on.",[168,8515,8516,8519],{},[88,8517,8518],{},"Confidential:"," Encryption is a big plus, especially for law firms and medical practices.",[168,8521,8522,8525],{},[88,8523,8524],{},"Affordable:"," No per-person licence.",[168,8527,8528,8531],{},[88,8529,8530],{},"Future-proof:"," An open standard doesn't just disappear because one provider changes something.",[93,8533,8535],{"id":8534},"what-does-element-feel-like-day-to-day","What does Element feel like day to day?",[84,8537,8538],{},"If you know WhatsApp, Signal or Teams, you'll quickly feel at home in Element:",[165,8540,8541,8547,8553,8559,8565,8571],{},[168,8542,8543,8546],{},[88,8544,8545],{},"Rooms"," are like groups or channels – for example one for the whole team and one per project.",[168,8548,8549,8552],{},[88,8550,8551],{},"Direct messages"," work as usual between two people.",[168,8554,8555,8558],{},[88,8556,8557],{},"Threads"," keep discussions tidy so nothing gets lost.",[168,8560,8561,8564],{},[88,8562,8563],{},"Voice and video calls"," start with one click, including with several people.",[168,8566,8567,8570],{},[88,8568,8569],{},"Files and pictures"," can simply be dragged into the chat.",[168,8572,8573,8576],{},[88,8574,8575],{},"Spaces"," group several rooms together, such as all the rooms of a club or department.",[93,8578,8580],{"id":8579},"what-is-a-homeserver","What is a homeserver?",[84,8582,8583,8584,8587],{},"In Matrix, the server that holds your accounts and messages is called a ",[88,8585,8586],{},"homeserver",". You can use a public homeserver or have your own run for you. Your own has a few nice advantages:",[165,8589,8590,8597,8600,8603],{},[168,8591,8592,8593,331],{},"Your address looks something like this: ",[8594,8595,8596],"code",{},"@anna:your-company.com",[168,8598,8599],{},"You decide who gets an account.",[168,8601,8602],{},"The data lives on a server you know.",[168,8604,8605],{},"You can still message every other Matrix user worldwide.",[93,8607,427],{"id":426},[84,8609,8610,8613],{},[88,8611,8612],{},"Does Element cost anything?","\nThe apps are free. Costs only arise for running the server, if you want your own.",[84,8615,8616,8619],{},[88,8617,8618],{},"Is Matrix hard to set up?","\nNot for users: install the app, log in, done. Setting up the server is best left to someone who does it regularly.",[84,8621,8622,8625],{},[88,8623,8624],{},"What happens if I lose my phone?","\nWith a security phrase or recovery key, you can get back to your encrypted messages on a new device. Keep it somewhere safe – ideally in your password manager.",[93,8627,8629],{"id":8628},"matrix-and-other-messengers","Matrix and other messengers",[84,8631,8632],{},"Matrix doesn't have to replace everything. Many people keep using their usual apps privately and use Element specifically where confidentiality and their own server matter – for example in a team, on a club committee or in a practice. That keeps things tidy, and work conversations get their own protected place.",[93,8634,1808],{"id":1807},[84,8636,8637,8638,8640,8641,331],{},"You need your own Matrix server (for example in a German data centre) and the Element app on your phone and computer. I offer exactly that as ",[88,8639,271],{}," – I set up the server, take care of updates and backups, and show you how everything works. More under ",[327,8642,1537],{"href":1536},[84,8644,459,8645,331],{},[327,8646,463],{"href":462},{"title":465,"searchDepth":466,"depth":466,"links":8648},[8649,8652,8653,8654,8655,8656,8657,8658],{"id":8404,"depth":466,"text":8405,"children":8650},[8651],{"id":8413,"depth":1547,"text":8414},{"id":7436,"depth":466,"text":7437},{"id":8501,"depth":466,"text":8502},{"id":8534,"depth":466,"text":8535},{"id":8579,"depth":466,"text":8580},{"id":426,"depth":466,"text":427},{"id":8628,"depth":466,"text":8629},{"id":1807,"depth":466,"text":1808},"2025-03-10T00:00:00.000Z","From healthcare to public administration: the open messaging standard Matrix keeps growing. Here's what that means for small businesses.",{"src":8662},"/img/blog/photo-1529107386315-e1a2ed48a620.webp",{},"/en/blog/eu-commission-matrix",{"title":8386,"description":8660},"en/3.blog/3.eu-commission-matrix","q6jhHWBf_35tqBuQOFdZSm2Nvcq_3mnbFCRl_VKOQcQ",{"id":8669,"title":8670,"authors":8671,"badge":8674,"body":8675,"date":8919,"description":8920,"extension":478,"faq":54,"howto":54,"image":8921,"meta":8922,"navigation":509,"path":8923,"seo":8924,"stem":8925,"__hash__":8926},"posts_en/en/3.blog/2.nextcloud-for-smes.md","Nextcloud for Small Businesses – Your Own Cloud, Simply Explained",[8672],{"name":70,"to":5586,"avatar":8673},{"src":73},{"label":75},{"type":77,"value":8676,"toc":8903},[8677,8680,8683,8687,8690,8721,8725,8751,8753,8757,8760,8764,8767,8771,8774,8778,8781,8785,8788,8792,8795,8799,8802,8833,8837,8869,8871,8877,8883,8889,8891,8899],[80,8678,8670],{"id":8679},"nextcloud-for-small-businesses-your-own-cloud-simply-explained",[84,8681,8682],{},"Nextcloud is open-source software for files, calendars, contacts and teamwork. Think of it like OneDrive or Dropbox – except it runs on a server you choose yourself. Lots of companies, schools and public bodies around the world use it, and for small businesses it's a really practical solution.",[93,8684,8686],{"id":8685},"what-can-nextcloud-do","What can Nextcloud do?",[84,8688,8689],{},"Nextcloud is more than a place to store files:",[165,8691,8692,8697,8703,8709,8715],{},[168,8693,8694,8696],{},[88,8695,2680],{}," Synced across all your devices, shared with clients via link (with password and expiry date if you like)",[168,8698,8699,8702],{},[88,8700,8701],{},"Calendar & contacts:"," Works with phones, Thunderbird, Outlook and Apple devices",[168,8704,8705,8708],{},[88,8706,8707],{},"Office in the browser:"," Edit Word, Excel and PowerPoint files directly, for example with ONLYOFFICE or Collabora",[168,8710,8711,8714],{},[88,8712,8713],{},"Video calls and chat:"," With Nextcloud Talk",[168,8716,8717,8720],{},[88,8718,8719],{},"Tasks & boards:"," Plan small projects at a glance",[93,8722,8724],{"id":8723},"why-your-own-cloud","Why your own cloud?",[165,8726,8727,8733,8739,8745],{},[168,8728,8729,8732],{},[88,8730,8731],{},"You know where your data is."," For example on a server in Germany or on a small device in your office.",[168,8734,8735,8738],{},[88,8736,8737],{},"No per-person licence."," You pay for the server and support, not for every single account.",[168,8740,8741,8744],{},[88,8742,8743],{},"Open formats."," Your files stay normal files and you can take them with you any time.",[168,8746,8747,8750],{},[88,8748,8749],{},"Big community."," Nextcloud is constantly developed and gets regular updates.",[93,8752,7552],{"id":7551},[1281,8754,8756],{"id":8755},"_1-choose-a-server","1. Choose a server",[84,8758,8759],{},"Either a rented server in a German data centre or a device on site. Both have their advantages – that's best figured out together.",[1281,8761,8763],{"id":8762},"_2-move-your-data","2. Move your data",[84,8765,8766],{},"Your files from OneDrive, Dropbox or a network drive are transferred. This works with proven tools and is easy to double-check.",[1281,8768,8770],{"id":8769},"_3-set-up-the-apps","3. Set up the apps",[84,8772,8773],{},"There are programs for Windows, macOS and Linux as well as apps for Android and iPhone. Your files then show up like a normal folder.",[1281,8775,8777],{"id":8776},"_4-create-accounts","4. Create accounts",[84,8779,8780],{},"Everyone gets their own account. Folders and shares are set up so each person sees what they need.",[1281,8782,8784],{"id":8783},"_5-a-quick-introduction","5. A quick introduction",[84,8786,8787],{},"A short walkthrough is usually enough. Anyone who has used Dropbox or OneDrive will feel at home quickly.",[93,8789,8791],{"id":8790},"security","Security",[84,8793,8794],{},"Nextcloud comes with plenty of protection built in: two-factor login, fine-grained access rights and, if you want, end-to-end encryption for especially sensitive folders. Regular updates and backups matter too – they're simply part of good support.",[93,8796,8798],{"id":8797},"who-is-nextcloud-a-good-fit-for","Who is Nextcloud a good fit for?",[84,8800,8801],{},"Nextcloud suits very different situations:",[165,8803,8804,8809,8815,8821,8827],{},[168,8805,8806,8808],{},[88,8807,1730],{}," Back up phone photos automatically, share calendars and shopping lists.",[168,8810,8811,8814],{},[88,8812,8813],{},"Small offices:"," Shared folders for quotes, invoices and templates.",[168,8816,8817,8820],{},[88,8818,8819],{},"Law firms and tax offices:"," Exchange documents securely with clients instead of sending them by email.",[168,8822,8823,8826],{},[88,8824,8825],{},"Medical practices:"," Internal documents, rotas and forms in one place.",[168,8828,8829,8832],{},[88,8830,8831],{},"Clubs:"," Minutes, member lists and dates for the committee.",[93,8834,8836],{"id":8835},"a-few-handy-features-youll-quickly-come-to-love","A few handy features you'll quickly come to love",[165,8838,8839,8845,8851,8857,8863],{},[168,8840,8841,8844],{},[88,8842,8843],{},"Upload links:"," Clients can send you files without needing an account themselves.",[168,8846,8847,8850],{},[88,8848,8849],{},"Version history:"," Overwrote something by accident? Older versions can be restored.",[168,8852,8853,8856],{},[88,8854,8855],{},"Trash bin:"," Deleted files stay recoverable for a while.",[168,8858,8859,8862],{},[88,8860,8861],{},"Automatic photo backup:"," The phone app uploads new pictures in the background.",[168,8864,8865,8868],{},[88,8866,8867],{},"Apps:"," The built-in app store lets you add more features, such as forms, notes or a whiteboard.",[93,8870,427],{"id":426},[84,8872,8873,8876],{},[88,8874,8875],{},"Do I need technical knowledge?","\nNot for using it. It works much like other cloud services. A service provider can take care of setup, updates and backups.",[84,8878,8879,8882],{},[88,8880,8881],{},"Does Nextcloud work with the iPhone?","\nYes. There are official apps for iOS and Android, and calendars and contacts can be added directly in the system settings.",[84,8884,8885,8888],{},[88,8886,8887],{},"Can I take my data with me later?","\nYes. Your files stay ordinary files, and calendars and contacts are stored in open standards.",[93,8890,449],{"id":448},[84,8892,8893,8894,8896,8897,331],{},"Nextcloud is a mature, friendly alternative for anyone who likes to keep their data in their own hands. I offer exactly that as ",[88,8895,8012],{}," – find out more under ",[327,8898,1537],{"href":1536},[84,8900,459,8901,331],{},[327,8902,463],{"href":462},{"title":465,"searchDepth":466,"depth":466,"links":8904},[8905,8906,8907,8914,8915,8916,8917,8918],{"id":8685,"depth":466,"text":8686},{"id":8723,"depth":466,"text":8724},{"id":7551,"depth":466,"text":7552,"children":8908},[8909,8910,8911,8912,8913],{"id":8755,"depth":1547,"text":8756},{"id":8762,"depth":1547,"text":8763},{"id":8769,"depth":1547,"text":8770},{"id":8776,"depth":1547,"text":8777},{"id":8783,"depth":1547,"text":8784},{"id":8790,"depth":466,"text":8791},{"id":8797,"depth":466,"text":8798},{"id":8835,"depth":466,"text":8836},{"id":426,"depth":466,"text":427},{"id":448,"depth":466,"text":449},"2025-02-28T00:00:00.000Z","Files, calendar and contacts in one place – on a server you know. Here's how Nextcloud works for small businesses.",{"src":8033},{},"/en/blog/nextcloud-for-smes",{"title":8670,"description":8920},"en/3.blog/2.nextcloud-for-smes","E_swopLHVPPZah79Nf6aDVVS0KPZc2QArZgY173RRIk",{"id":8928,"title":8929,"authors":8930,"badge":8933,"body":8934,"date":9292,"description":9293,"extension":478,"faq":54,"howto":54,"image":9294,"meta":9296,"navigation":509,"path":9297,"seo":9298,"stem":9299,"__hash__":9300},"posts_en/en/3.blog/1.microsoft-vs-opensource.md","Microsoft 365 or Open Source? How to Work Out the Real Costs",[8931],{"name":70,"to":5586,"avatar":8932},{"src":73},{"label":75},{"type":77,"value":8935,"toc":9281},[8936,8939,8942,8946,8949,8981,8984,8988,8991,9010,9013,9017,9085,9088,9092,9095,9120,9122,9155,9159,9162,9187,9190,9194,9197,9243,9246,9250,9270,9272,9277],[80,8937,8929],{"id":8938},"microsoft-365-or-open-source-how-to-work-out-the-real-costs",[84,8940,8941],{},"Lots of small businesses pay for their office software every month without really knowing what it all adds up to. That's totally normal: licences tick along in the background, add-ons pile up, and at some point it's just \"the way it is\". Still, a calm look at the numbers is worth it. It often turns out that open source is a really good and affordable alternative.",[93,8943,8945],{"id":8944},"what-belongs-in-your-calculation","What belongs in your calculation",[84,8947,8948],{},"With Microsoft 365 and similar subscriptions, you pay per person per month. On top of that, there are often items you don't think of straight away:",[165,8950,8951,8957,8963,8969,8975],{},[168,8952,8953,8956],{},[88,8954,8955],{},"Licences per person"," – the price depends on the plan",[168,8958,8959,8962],{},[88,8960,8961],{},"Extra storage"," for large amounts of data",[168,8964,8965,8968],{},[88,8966,8967],{},"Add-on features"," like telephony or advanced security",[168,8970,8971,8974],{},[88,8972,8973],{},"Backup"," – often not fully included in cloud subscriptions",[168,8976,8977,8980],{},[88,8978,8979],{},"Price changes"," over the years",[84,8982,8983],{},"The best approach: look at your last twelve invoices. Then you have a real number instead of a guess.",[93,8985,8987],{"id":8986},"what-open-source-costs","What open source costs",[84,8989,8990],{},"Open-source software like Nextcloud (files, calendar, contacts), Element (chat and video calls), ONLYOFFICE or Collabora (office documents) and Vaultwarden (passwords) comes without licence fees. You still pay for some things, though:",[165,8992,8993,8999,9005],{},[168,8994,8995,8998],{},[88,8996,8997],{},"Hosting"," – a server in a data centre or a small device in your office",[168,9000,9001,9004],{},[88,9002,9003],{},"Setup"," – a one-off cost, depending on how much data needs to move",[168,9006,9007,9009],{},[88,9008,841],{}," – updates, backups, help with questions",[84,9011,9012],{},"The big difference: these costs usually don't depend on how many people use the software. Whether your team has five or fifteen people often makes only a small difference to the server.",[93,9014,9016],{"id":9015},"a-fair-side-by-side","A fair side-by-side",[109,9018,9019,9032],{},[112,9020,9021],{},[115,9022,9023,9026,9029],{},[118,9024,9025],{},"Item",[118,9027,9028],{},"Subscription (e.g. Microsoft 365)",[118,9030,9031],{},"Open source (self-run or managed)",[125,9033,9034,9045,9055,9064,9074],{},[115,9035,9036,9039,9042],{},[130,9037,9038],{},"Licences",[130,9040,9041],{},"per person per month",[130,9043,9044],{},"none",[115,9046,9047,9049,9052],{},[130,9048,8997],{},[130,9050,9051],{},"included",[130,9053,9054],{},"your own server, monthly",[115,9056,9057,9059,9062],{},[130,9058,9003],{},[130,9060,9061],{},"low",[130,9063,1434],{},[115,9065,9066,9068,9071],{},[130,9067,841],{},[130,9069,9070],{},"mostly yourself",[130,9072,9073],{},"yourself or as a service",[115,9075,9076,9079,9082],{},[130,9077,9078],{},"Switching later",[130,9080,9081],{},"more effort",[130,9083,9084],{},"data in open formats",[84,9086,9087],{},"To be honest: in the first year, open source can cost as much as the subscription because of the setup. From the second year on, the one-off part disappears, and that's often where it gets noticeably cheaper.",[93,9089,9091],{"id":9090},"the-benefits-beyond-price","The benefits beyond price",[84,9093,9094],{},"Money isn't everything. Many people who switch value these points most:",[165,9096,9097,9103,9109,9114],{},[168,9098,9099,9102],{},[88,9100,9101],{},"Control over your own data"," – you know which server it's on",[168,9104,9105,9108],{},[88,9106,9107],{},"Independence"," – you're not tied to a single provider",[168,9110,9111,9113],{},[88,9112,5701],{}," – you can take your files with you any time",[168,9115,9116,9119],{},[88,9117,9118],{},"Active community"," – thousands of developers work on these projects",[93,9121,6661],{"id":6660},[297,9123,9124,9129,9135,9143,9149],{},[168,9125,9126,9128],{},[88,9127,6921],{}," Which programs do you actually use every day?",[168,9130,9131,9134],{},[88,9132,9133],{},"Collect the costs:"," Add up all invoices for one year.",[168,9136,9137,9140,9141,331],{},[88,9138,9139],{},"Look at alternatives:"," Find an open-source option for each program – there's an overview under ",[327,9142,330],{"href":329},[168,9144,9145,9148],{},[88,9146,9147],{},"Test small:"," Start with one area, for example your files.",[168,9150,9151,9154],{},[88,9152,9153],{},"Decide:"," After a few weeks you'll know whether it fits.",[93,9156,9158],{"id":9157},"typical-costs-that-are-easy-to-overlook","Typical costs that are easy to overlook",[84,9160,9161],{},"Besides licences, there are a few items that never show up on an invoice but still cost time or money:",[165,9163,9164,9170,9175,9181],{},[168,9165,9166,9169],{},[88,9167,9168],{},"Managing accounts:"," Who's joining, who's leaving? Every change takes a few clicks and sometimes a new licence.",[168,9171,9172,9174],{},[88,9173,3245],{}," New features arrive regularly, and the team wants to know how they work.",[168,9176,9177,9180],{},[88,9178,9179],{},"Unused licences:"," In many businesses, subscriptions keep running for people who hardly use the program any more.",[168,9182,9183,9186],{},[88,9184,9185],{},"Extra tools:"," Backup, archiving or a password manager are often paid for separately.",[84,9188,9189],{},"Some of these exist with open source too, of course. The difference is that you can plan them yourself and aren't tied to a licensing model.",[93,9191,9193],{"id":9192},"a-do-it-yourself-example-calculation","A do-it-yourself example calculation",[84,9195,9196],{},"Grab a sheet of paper or a spreadsheet and fill in:",[109,9198,9199,9209],{},[112,9200,9201],{},[115,9202,9203,9206],{},[118,9204,9205],{},"Line",[118,9207,9208],{},"What you enter",[125,9210,9211,9219,9227,9235],{},[115,9212,9213,9216],{},[130,9214,9215],{},"A",[130,9217,9218],{},"Licence cost per person per month × number of people × 12",[115,9220,9221,9224],{},[130,9222,9223],{},"B",[130,9225,9226],{},"Add-ons and storage per year",[115,9228,9229,9232],{},[130,9230,9231],{},"C",[130,9233,9234],{},"Backup and other tools per year",[115,9236,9237,9240],{},[130,9238,9239],{},"D",[130,9241,9242],{},"Total of A + B + C",[84,9244,9245],{},"Then get a quote for hosting and support for the open-source option. It's best to spread the one-off setup over three years. That way you can see at a glance when a switch pays off – and whether it's worth it for you at all.",[93,9247,9249],{"id":9248},"who-benefits-most-from-switching","Who benefits most from switching",[165,9251,9252,9258,9264],{},[168,9253,9254,9257],{},[88,9255,9256],{},"Growing teams:"," Without per-person licences, costs stay more stable.",[168,9259,9260,9263],{},[88,9261,9262],{},"Businesses with confidential data:"," Law firms and practices appreciate deciding where their data is stored.",[168,9265,9266,9269],{},[88,9267,9268],{},"Anyone who wants to stay flexible:"," Open formats make later switches easy.",[93,9271,449],{"id":448},[84,9273,9274,9275,331],{},"Switching to open source doesn't have to be expensive or complicated. With an honest calculation, you'll quickly see whether it's worth it for you. You can find my packages and prices under ",[327,9276,1537],{"href":1536},[84,9278,459,9279,331],{},[327,9280,463],{"href":462},{"title":465,"searchDepth":466,"depth":466,"links":9282},[9283,9284,9285,9286,9287,9288,9289,9290,9291],{"id":8944,"depth":466,"text":8945},{"id":8986,"depth":466,"text":8987},{"id":9015,"depth":466,"text":9016},{"id":9090,"depth":466,"text":9091},{"id":6660,"depth":466,"text":6661},{"id":9157,"depth":466,"text":9158},{"id":9192,"depth":466,"text":9193},{"id":9248,"depth":466,"text":9249},{"id":448,"depth":466,"text":449},"2025-02-10T00:00:00.000Z","What does your office software really cost? A simple guide to comparing Microsoft 365 and open-source alternatives fairly.",{"src":9295},"/img/blog/photo-1554224155-6726b3ff858f.webp",{},"/en/blog/microsoft-vs-opensource",{"title":8929,"description":9293},"en/3.blog/1.microsoft-vs-opensource","pbdrfYrqiJ1AHl1WeMiCYY4Yz7gx53r4DquqPIQoAL4",1792720355685]