Last Updated on 15. April 2026
The OZG Cloud helps municipalities and public-law entities handle administrative procedures in accordance with the Online Access Act (OZG) in a fully digital and seamless manner. The following questions and answers provide a concise overview of the platform’s structure, functions, and added value.
1. What is the OZG Cloud?
The OZG Cloud is an IT system environment (cloud) for municipalities and public-law entities that enables application processes under the Online Access Act (OZG) to be handled seamlessly. It consists of a web-based general-purpose application running in a cloud environment, as well as a range of services and interfaces serving as its foundation. The easy-to-implement and user-friendly administrative software for processing applications was developed under an open source license and based on the “one-for-all” principle (EfA).
2. Who developed the OZG Cloud and who uses it?
The platform was developed by mgm in collaboration with the IT Association of Schleswig-Holstein (ITV.SH) and Dataport. The state of Schleswig-Holstein makes extensive use of the OZG Cloud: over 50 percent of the municipalities in the state are already working with it. Bavaria is also in pilot operation with several municipalities (as of March 2026).
3. What is the underlying architecture?
The OZG Cloud is a federal multi-cloud solution that can run on Kubernetes systems in existing data centers. Each municipality is assigned its own namespace, where it retains data sovereignty and can establish many connections independently. The system is highly automated: new clients/municipalities can be set up using scripts, and updates are distributed automatically.
4. What functions and modules does the OZG Cloud offer?
The OZG Cloud covers the entire digital lifecycle of an administrative procedure and continuously expands it with new modules.
At its core is end-to-end processing: from application submission through internal processing to feedback to applicants, every step takes place within a seamless digital process space. There are no media breaks, and statuses remain transparently traceable.
The specialized application supports bidirectional communication, for example via BundID or the corporate account. Additionally, an integrated communication and application space is available. Missing documents can be specifically requested and submitted digitally – without email correspondence or paper mail.
Interfaces are available for generating decisions, through which document creation software can be integrated. Examples include Smart Documents, the A12 Print Engine, and the open-source solution “ED” (Electronic Document Creation) developed as part of the project.
The OZG Cloud Bridge enables the export of application data and the adaptation of its format so that specialized procedures can import it. In this way, the solution integrates existing IT landscapes without replacing them and ensures data exchange via defined interfaces.
The participation module incorporates external entities such as chambers or associations into procedures in a structured manner. Flexible integration mechanisms enable coordinated collaboration across organizational boundaries.
Extensions currently being implemented include the use of X-Road for federated data interfaces, reporting functions for analyzing process data, a configurable administration interface, and the integration of low-code platforms for the rapid implementation of new processes.
5. How does the OZG Cloud operate?
The OZG Cloud follows the “one for all” principle: municipalities, states, and other institutions can access the solution collectively. Centralizing updates and operations reduces operating costs and ensures consistent quality. At the same time, local self-government is preserved—each municipality decides for itself how to use the OZG Cloud modules. In addition, advisory and support structures exist (e.g., via ITV.SH or BayKommun), particularly for smaller municipalities.
6. How does the OZG Cloud reduce the workload for IT specialists in municipalities?
The technical workload for IT specialists in municipalities is relatively low. Automated processes (setup, updates, scaling) significantly reduce manual technical effort. Maintenance and updates for the OZG Cloud are handled centrally and automatically, which noticeably reduces the burden on resources in small municipalities.
7. How does the administration benefit from the OZG Cloud?
The OZG Cloud decouples application submission and processing, significantly reducing media breaks. Automated processes, such as those for generating decisions, reduce manual effort. The various communication channels enable applications to be transferred between cloud instances, thereby promoting collaboration among municipalities. The cloud solution supports scalable application processing with minimal resources – particularly helpful where IT specialists are in short supply.
8. What advantages does the OZG Cloud offer citizens and businesses?
Citizens and businesses can submit applications entirely digitally – including document uploads. Missing documents can be easily submitted later. Processing becomes more transparent and faster, as the status of each step in the process is clearly tracked (assignment, follow-up inquiries, decision).
9. What advantages does the OZG Cloud offer for the Deutschland-Stack?
With the OZG Cloud, the Deutschland-Stack gains a building block that combines open technology, sovereign control, and field-tested processes. The platform provides clear interfaces, shareable modules, and an architecture that integrates well into the federal IT landscape. Open development fosters collaboration, accelerates improvements, and strengthens digital independence. This creates an environment where modern administrative processes can emerge that scale seamlessly.
