BWI and ZenDiS conclude framework agreement on sovereign communication and collaboration solutions

Bochum, 04 April 2025 - BWI GmbH, the Bundeswehr's primary digitalization partner, is working with the Center for Digital Sovereignty of Public Administration (ZenDiS) to develop digitally sovereign information technology. The Bundeswehr's own IT system house has concluded a framework agreement with ZenDiS for the Office & Collaboration Suite openDesk as a sovereign workplace solution and for openCode as the infrastructure for a sovereign software supply chain. The initial term of the framework agreement is seven years. BWI is pursuing a consistent strategy to strengthen the digital sovereignty of the German armed forces. By maintaining the necessary control and scope for action in the cyber and information space, the aim is to ensure that the Bundeswehr can fulfill its constitutional mission in a self-determined manner and free from unwanted interference by third parties. One of the pillars of this strategy is the use of trustworthy IT and security-relevant applications, another is the new or further development of applications under the Bundeswehr's own control.

Sovereignty in collaboration, communication and software supply chain

The subject of the framework agreement now concluded with ZenDiS is the provision and needs-based further development of the Office & Collaboration Suite openDesk. The openDesk platform openCode is used as the central infrastructure component for openDesk. It forms the basis for a sovereign development environment and secure software supply chain. OpenDesk integrates all applications for effective digital collaboration under a standardized interface: from word processing and spreadsheets to email, contact and calendar functions to a cloud storage and tools for messaging and video conferencing. A project management module and a wiki are also included. In addition, BWI's messaging solution, which is already in use with the German Armed Forces, will be integrated. In addition to openDesk and a development environment, openCode also provides the quality-assured BundesMessenger developed by the BWI.

Open standards ensure interoperability, transparency and digital sovereignty

The components provided by ZenDiS are open source. The use of open standards and interfaces ensures 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. The framework agreement has an initial term of seven years with the option to extend.

About ZenDiS

The Center for Digital Sovereignty in Public Administration (ZenDiS) was founded in 2022 by the Federal Ministry of the Interior and for Home Affairs (BMI). As a competence and service center, ZenDiS supports public administration at federal, state and municipal level in securing its ability to act in the digital space in the long term - above all by eliminating critical dependencies on individual technology providers. To this end, ZenDiS is focusing on promoting the use of open source software in public administration in the first expansion phase. ZenDiS is a limited company and is currently wholly owned by the federal government. A participation of the federal states is in preparation. ZenDiS is based in Bochum.

About the BWI

BWI GmbH is the IT system house of the German Armed Forces. The wholly-owned federal company develops and operates the IT of the German armed forces - innovatively, reliably and economically. After all, a high-performance IT infrastructure is the basis for success in the digitalized world. As a primary partner for digitalization, BWI supports the digital transformation of the Bundeswehr. To ensure this succeeds, BWI offers needs-based services - from design and implementation to IT operations and Germany-wide IT support, around the clock. This is how BWI ensures Germany's digital future viability. With over 7,700 employees at more than 40 locations nationwide, BWI is one of the ten largest IT service providers in Germany. BWI is headquartered in Meckenheim near Bonn.