Last Updated on 7. July 2026
Following its move away from Microsoft Office and Outlook, the Schleswig-Holstein state administration continues to focus consistently on open-source solutions. With the A12 AI low-code platform from mgm technology partners, the state is accelerating the phase-out of Microsoft Access and the development of modern administrative applications.
Modern specialist procedures – open-source solutions made in Schleswig-Holstein
As part of the administration’s transition to a digitally sovereign IT working environment featuring LibreOffice, OpenXchange (email) and the future Linux operating system, the State Chancellery of Schleswig-Holstein is also turning its attention to the multitude of individual specialist procedures. Specialised systems are indispensable components of modern administrative work and map out complex administrative processes. However, they are often based on proprietary or outdated technologies. With the concept of model-based software development (low-code approach) and the use of the A12 platform, the state administration is enabled to provide software solutions both with external support and independently. This results in modern, web-based procedures that meet current needs and are secure. Furthermore, the results can be made available to other local authorities across Germany for reuse. The state is thus consistently pursuing its own digitalisation strategy.
“By providing the open, high-performance A12 development platform, we are laying further foundations for the sustainable and future-oriented digitalisation of public administration in Schleswig-Holstein,” explains Dirk Schrödter, Minister for Digitalisation and Head of the State Chancellery of Schleswig-Holstein. “We are deliberately focusing on digital sovereignty through open-source solutions, on the nationwide reusability of these solutions, and on transparency. This is based on close cooperation with our partners. Our aim is a sustainable, secure and independent IT infrastructure within the state administration that promotes innovation and strengthens the digital autonomy of the public sector. With A12, staff in the state ministries and subordinate authorities are empowered through targeted training to implement applications independently – as citizen developers without any programming knowledge.”
Replacement of Microsoft Access
The Schleswig-Holstein state administration is currently phasing out over 100 Microsoft Access-based specialist systems – a significant proportion of which will be phased out as early as 2026. A12 combines low-code modelling with an iterative approach and has proven to be a robust foundation in the ongoing project. The state-wide low-code competence centre within the State Chancellery’s Central IT Management will permanently embed this in-house development capability. The A12 platform is operated with digital sovereignty in Dataport’s data centres – thereby creating the infrastructural basis for cross-state reuse by other Dataport member states.
Making the A12 AI Low-Code Platform open source: a strategic move
The state of Schleswig-Holstein supported the German software company mgm technology partners GmbH from an early stage as a key driving force behind making the A12 platform open source. Following consultations with key administrative partners and the Centre for Digital Sovereignty (ZenDiS), mgm made key components of the A12 platform available as open source under the EUPL 1.2 licence on openCode and GitHub in May 2026. This release includes source code, documentation and development tools. This step firmly anchors the platform within the European open-source ecosystem and brings it into close alignment with the Deutschland Stack. The European Public Licence (EUPL) ensures legal certainty within the EU, promotes further development by third parties and strengthens technological independence from proprietary single suppliers.
“Making A12 open source makes a concrete contribution to digital sovereignty in Germany and Europe,” emphasises Hamarz Mehmanesh, Managing Director of mgm technology partners. “The collaboration with Schleswig-Holstein and the Centre for Digital Sovereignty (ZenDiS) demonstrates how public administration and technology companies can work together to implement sustainable, scalable and open solutions.” Together, the partners are also aiming to integrate A12 into the Deutschland-Stack, so that a uniform basis for the digitalisation of specialist procedures in Germany will be available in future.
“Digital sovereignty is a prerequisite for a state capable of effective action. ZenDiS provides the necessary infrastructure for this through openCode. On this platform, public authorities across the federal system can further develop and reuse open-source software. The fact that mgm is releasing A12 under the EUPL 1.2 is exactly the kind of commitment we want to see from technology providers for the public sector,” said Leonhard Kugler, Managing Director of ZenDiS.
The A12 Enterprise platform has already proven its worth for years in security-critical and highly complex public administration applications, including ELSTER – Germany’s central online tax portal. AI functionalities are noticeably driving forward the development of A12-based specialist applications. The integrated use of models in specialist processes and consistent support for AI-assisted development (Agentic Coding) are speeding up processes and opening up new possibilities for public administration.
Further information is available at:
• Website: Land Schleswig-Holstein
• Website: ZenDiS
• Website: mgm
• Website: A12 AI Low Code Platform
• A12 user portal including documentation: https://geta12.com
• openCode: https://gitlab.opencode.de/mgm-tp/a12/a12overview
• GitHub: https://github.com/mgm-tp
