More than 200 officials in the chancellery of Schleswig-Holstein now use Linux, an open-source operating system, for their work, while about 20 still rely on Windows due to the need for specific business software that only runs on that platform. The state aims to transition approximately 30,000 officials across its administration to Linux-based systems. This progress was announced by Dirk Schrödter, the minister for Digital Affairs and head of the chancellery, at the 24th Open-Source-und-Linux-Tage event in Kiel, a conference focused on open-source technologies. The shift to open-source software began several years ago with the adoption of LibreOffice, a free alternative to Microsoft Office, for non-tax-related tasks. The state also moved its email system to Open-Xchange, a Linux-based email solution, and replaced traditional video conferencing tools with OpenTalk. More recently, the administration has introduced Nextcloud for collaborative work and Nubus, an open-source directory system meant to replace Microsoft's Active Directory. Plans are also underway to transition telephony systems to OSKAR, a free and open-source solution. According to a state report, this migration has saved more than 15 million euros in software licensing costs that would have been necessary for one-time purchases in 2026. To ease the transition, the state has provided various forms of support, including in-person and online meetings, training videos, on-site technical assistance, and Linux forums. Technical support is being provided by Gonicus, a German open-source company, in collaboration with Dataport, the state’s main IT service provider. Despite these efforts, challenges remain, especially with business software that is only compatible with Windows. The state is working to either replace such software or make it usable remotely. One notable issue occurred when the Ministry of the Interior transitioned its email system to Open-Xchange and Thunderbird in the summer of 2025, leading to disruptions, including misplaced emails. The police union GdP described the situation as "total chaos," though it acknowledged the potential benefits of open-source software. The union emphasized that the transition requires staff to adapt to more complex user interfaces, which can be time-consuming. The state continues to work on progressively transitioning other ministries and administrative bodies. Deployment planning is described as moving "at full speed," but no specific timelines have been announced for the remaining transition phases.