The ZenDiS sovereignty package
ZenDiS is the central state actor for digital sovereignty in Germany. With a comprehensive sovereignty package, we support the federal, state and local governments in freeing themselves from critical dependencies and strengthening their digital sovereignty. Each of our offerings can be used individually, but they develop their strongest transformational power when they are linked together as required.
Platform: Shaping digitalization in a sovereign way
openCode is the central platform for sovereign software solutions in public administration, where administration-related open source software can be found, shared, and jointly developed. Instead of parallel developments in individual offices and authorities, openCode enables the systematic, cross-level exchange of software. The platform brings together people who are actively shaping the digital transformation of public administration – by sharing code, knowledge, and experience. Several thousand users are already collaborating on projects on openCode. Applications in the software directory are also checked and labeled according to quality criteria. The platform thus provides the basic infrastructure for a sovereign software supply chain.

- Central platform for collaboration on administration-related open source software
- Active community of public administration employees and developers
- Quality checks for posted software projects
Products: Breaking critical dependencies
Digital sovereignty in administration can only be achieved with professional software alternatives that reduce critical dependencies on individual proprietary products. ZenDiS therefore provides open-source products that meet the specific requirements of the public sector. With our flagship product openDesk, we offer an office and collaboration suite that is specifically designed for administration. An important part of our work is also international cooperation, in which we work together with partners in Europe on open standards and sustainable digital infrastructures. All our products focus on freedom of choice in terms of deployment (SaaS/on-prem), security, and user-friendliness – for independent and future-proof public IT.

- Web-based applications in a browser window – for flexible collaboration and modern public administration
- Open standards and modular architecture avoid dependencies on individual providers
- User-friendly products that guarantee freedom of choice and security
Sovereignty check & advice: A strategic approach to sovereignty
Within public administration, there is a great need for support on the path to sovereign IT. To ensure that the right strategic course is set, ZenDiS helps identify critical dependencies, develops exit and migration strategies, and provides change management support. We provide comprehensive advice on open source – from procurement and development to operation and reuse – and promote understanding of business, licensing, and contract models. The ZenDiS sovereignty check (currently in development) plays a central role. It makes it possible to check individual IT solutions – but also entire organizations – for their degree of sovereignty and forms the basis for an assessment of digital sovereignty.

- Sovereignty check: Evaluation of IT solutions and organizations according to transparent sovereignty criteria
- Analysis of critical dependencies, development of exit and migration strategies
- Consulting on the development, procurement, operation, and reuse of open source solutions