> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://itsfoss.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Another German State Just Kicked Out Microsoft... Kind Of - URL: https://itsfoss.com/news/german-state-ditches-sharepoint/ - Published: 2026-07-09T09:50:24.000Z - Updated: 2026-07-10T04:04:34.000Z - Description: Mecklenburg-Vorpommern has replaced Microsoft SharePoint with Nextcloud for over 5,000 government employees. - Author: Sourav Rudra - Tags: News The German state of [Mecklenburg-Vorpommern](https://www.regierung-mv.de/Landesregierung/fm/Presse/Aktuelle-Pressemitteilungen/?id=221531&processor=processor.sa.pressemitteilung&ref=itsfoss.com) is done with [Microsoft SharePoint](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/sharepoint/collaboration/?ref=itsfoss.com), ditching it for **a self-hosted Nextcloud deployment** that is already serving around 5,000 employees. Eventually, that number will be scaled up to 50,000 public sector workers, covering agencies ranging from ministries down to municipal offices. ## What's happening? Currently, [Nextcloud](https://nextcloud.com/?ref=itsfoss.com) is handling file sharing, and features like chat, video conferencing, and groupware tools are coming next. The existing implementation as well as the expansion is being handled by [DVZ M-V](https://www.dvz-mv.de/?ref=itsfoss.com), the state's IT services provider. The state's CIO, [Marco Anschütz](https://www.regierung-mv.de/Landesregierung/im/Ministerium/Organigramm/Anschuetz,-Marco?ref=itsfoss.com), says the SharePoint migration for the first 5,000 employees went smoothly, with no disruption or data loss, further adding that: > Together with DVZ M-V, we've built a platform that runs reliably today and is being expanded step by step. *The above quote was translated from Deutsch.* 📝 Nextcloud isn't the only aspect of the open source push. Mecklenburg-Vorpommern also uses [OpenProject](https://www.openproject.org/?ref=itsfoss.com) as an alternative to proprietary project management tools and has built its own administrative AI assistant, **LEA**, that is based on [OpenWebUI](https://openwebui.com/?ref=itsfoss.com). ## Not a solo effort The northern state isn't figuring this out alone. In 2025, its Ministry of Finance and Digitalization [signed a cooperation agreement](https://www.regierung-mv.de/Aktuell/?id=215184&ref=itsfoss.com) (*in Deutsch*) with the State Chancellery of Schleswig-Holstein, specifically to strengthen digital sovereignty across both states. That's a state which needs no introduction when it comes to adopting open source solutions to [Big Tech](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big%5FTech?ref=itsfoss.com) problems. Many of their governmental agencies have already migrated their email system off Microsoft Exchange and Outlook, made LibreOffice mandatory across their administration, and are expecting [to save more than €15 million a year](https://itsfoss.com/news/german-state-ditch-microsoft/) in licensing costs as a result. Nationally, Germany backs the same direction with the [Deutschland-Stack](https://itsfoss.com/news/germany-digital-stack-mandate/), a sovereign infrastructure framework. It limits public administration to two document formats, *ODF* and *PDF/UA*, excluding Microsoft's `.doc`, `.ppt`, and `.xls` entirely. The framework also favors open source tools and European providers over foreign ones, aiming to cut vendor lock-in, and promoting digital sovereignty across public administration. ## Wrapping up None of this means **Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is cutting ties with Microsoft entirely**. SharePoint is out, sure, but that's the scope of what's actually announced so far. Nonetheless, going from 5,000 employees to their stated target of 50,000+ is a massive undertaking, and with two states coordinating this move instead of migrating separately, their alliance might end up as an example for other German states to follow. --- **Suggested Read 📖:** [*Austrian Ministry Kicks Out Microsoft in Favor of Nextcloud*](https://itsfoss.com/news/austrian-ministry-kicks-out-microsoft/) [Good News! Austrian Ministry Kicks Out Microsoft in Favor of NextcloudThe BMWET migrates 1,200 employees to sovereign cloud in just four months.![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/icon/android-chrome-512x512-d43784dc-86f1-40ef-8ee0-65a1db07c806.png)It's FOSSSourav Rudra![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/thumbnail/austria-bmwet-nextcloud-move-1-c4981c7b-16b0-4626-be96-b66b1e1c4e50.png)](https://itsfoss.com/news/austrian-ministry-kicks-out-microsoft/)