Framework agreement: MS-365 alternative OpenDesk to conquer the Bundeswehr

The federal office suite OpenDesk is making inroads into the armed forces. The Bundeswehr IT system house BWI has concluded a framework agreement with the Center for Digital Sovereignty of Public Administration (Zendis) for "sovereign communication and collaboration solutions". This primarily involves the provision and needs-based further development of the open-source office and collaboration package OpenDesk for the armed forces, as the wholly-owned federal company BWI announced on Friday. The OpenCode platform will be used as the central infrastructure component for OpenDesk. It forms "the basis for a sovereign development environment and secure software supply chain".

OpenDesk is seen as an alternative to the cloud-based Microsoft 365 office package, which is facing increasing concerns about dependencies on a US corporation, partly due to the current course of the Trump administration in Washington. Zendis reported in March that just under five months after the official launch of OpenDesk, demand for the open source suite was high. More than 1,500 inquiries had already been received from authorities and institutions throughout Germany. The center, which is based at the Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI), has now made a deal with the Bundeswehr's digitization partner: the initial term of the framework agreement, which the armed forces can now use in principle, is seven years.

According to Zendis, the BWI is pursuing "a consistent strategy to strengthen the digital sovereignty" of the Bundeswehr. By maintaining the necessary control and scope for action in cyber and information space, the aim is to ensure that the armed forces can "fulfill their constitutional mission in a self-determined manner and free from unwanted interference by third parties". One of the pillars of this calculation is the use of "trustworthy IT and security-relevant applications". The aim is "the new or further development" of computer programs under its own control.

BundesMessenger to be integrated

According to Zendis, OpenDesk integrates all the apps required for effective digital collaboration under a uniform interface: the range of functions extends from word processing and spreadsheets to email, contact and calendar functions, cloud storage and tools for messaging and video conferencing. A project management module and a wiki are also included. The BWI messaging solution based on Matrix, which is already being used by the German Armed Forces, will be integrated: In addition to OpenDesk and a development environment, the BundesMessenger will also be made available "quality-assured" on OpenCode.

The components provided by Zendis as part of the cooperation are all open source. The use of open standards and interfaces guarantees both transparency and the interoperability of systems as well as efficient collaboration. This makes OpenDesk "a truly sovereign alternative to proprietary products that dominate the market".

"Sovereignty check" vs. digital dependencies

Zendis recently expanded its OpenDesk service and wants to help identify critical dependencies at public authorities with a "sovereignty check". This test is intended to make IT solutions such as programs, infrastructure, cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) verifiable along "objective criteria with regard to their degree of sovereignty with a view to solutions as well as providers, licenses and contracts". Zendis also wants to provide "important starting points for exit strategies". A new service on OpenCode will also enable an automated evaluation of these properties and make it transparent via digital seals in the form of "badges".

(dmk)