In a recent video call with EGroupware Managing Director, Birgit Becker, we learned about some of the impressive ways EGroupware is leveraging the power of Collabora Online to enhance productivity across their software suite. In this blog post, we’ll take a quick dive into some of the ways Collabora Online’s adaptability and openness shine in this integration.

Powerful email integration

A customised user interface is just one of the ways Collabora Online has been adapted to seamlessly fit into the EGroupware ecosystem. Something that can only be dreamed of with proprietary systems, this becomes a reality with Collabora Online. In their customisation, EGroupware developers have added email functionality directly into the Collabora Online document editor interface. Rather than having to download a document and attach it to an email with a separate email application, the whole process can be managed directly from the document editor UI with just a few clicks. This integration is then further developed within the EGroupware CRM, enabling EGroupware users to quickly and easily identify which documents have been sent to which email addresses.

Flexible custom fields

EGroupware takes further advantage of Collabora Online’s versatility by allowing the insertion of EGroupware standard data or custom fields from other EGroupware modules directly into Collabora Online documents. The open-source nature of Collabora Online enables this kind of deep integration, providing users with a flexible platform where functionalities can be extended to meet specific needs. This adaptability ensures that Collabora Online is not a one-size-fits-all ‘my way or the highway’ solution, but a dynamic tool that evolves with the unique requirements of each user.

Genuine partnership

As Birgit put it towards the end of the call, “If we have a problem, we can open a ticket at your side, and it’s always one-to-one discussion. It doesn’t make us feel like a smaller company or something – we are just a partner.” At Collabora Online, we take great pride in the service we provide to our partners and integrators. This comment highlights the friendly and collaborative nature of the partnership between Collabora Online and EGroupware. With direct lines of communication, problem-solving is quick and efficient, fostering a relationship where both sides feel equally valued.

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Find out more about the Collabora Online and EGroupware integration here.

Some Background

Collabora Online has now been operating for over 10 years, bringing control and security to an increasing number of sectors. In this span of time, we’ve seen legislation and regulations evolve, and more recently universities are also waking to the significance of data security and digital sovereignty. In the wake of global events, such as the Ukraine war, dependency on foreign organizations for digital infrastructure also sparks concerns.

1. Join the Free World

Learning is synonymous with free thinking, creativity, and innovation. For centuries, universities have been the bastions of research and progress, pushing against a secretive world. As dynamic environments where ideas flourish, opting for an open solution, such as Collabora Online, aligns seamlessly with the spirit of academia.

Unlike proprietary platforms that may impose limitations and roadblocks, Collabora Online empowers universities to foster a culture of exploration and intellectual freedom. By embracing an open-source approach, institutions ensure that their students and faculty are not confined to a predetermined path, but rather equipped with a versatile and adaptable tool that grows alongside their evolving needs and aspirations.

2. Privacy and Data Control

With growing concerns about data privacy, Collabora Online provides a secure environment for educational institutions to work within. Institutions can maintain control over sensitive information, ensuring that student and faculty data remains protected. French¹ and German² governments in fact have already said that Microsoft Office 365 and Google Workspace should not be used in schools due to ongoing concerns about data sovereignty, and privacy. Other governments and public bodies appear to moving in the same direction^3,4.

Take control of your personal data, your research data, and your students’ data with Collabora Online.

3. Compatibility and Accessibility

Collabora Online’s compatibility with popular document formats ensures smooth integration with existing systems. This flexibility allows universities and schools to transition seamlessly to Collabora Online, preserving compatibility with a wide range of file types and ensuring a smooth workflow for both educators and students.

We are also continuously developing our accessibility, ensuring the the world of education remains as open as possible.

4. Integrations

With an open code, you can use Collabora Online however you want. Integrate with the open-source learning platform moodle, or your existing sharepoint, or your email client, or your video calling provider, or your… If you can dream it, we can do it. Join the new world of possibilities!

In conclusion, Collabora Online emerges as the ideal document editor for universities and educational institutions. Unbound by the rules of closed platforms – we fully embrace the spirit of exploration and creativity. Choosing Collabora Online, universities empower their students and faculty with a tool that not only respects privacy and data control but also seamlessly integrates with existing systems.

As institutions worldwide navigate the complexities of digital sovereignty, Collabora Online stands as a beacon, offering a reliable and versatile document editing solution for the academic community. Embrace the future of education with Collabora Online – where openness, compatibility, and security converge.

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1. Bringing Real Pedigree

You might not have heard of Collabora Online until recently, but we are based on and are the world’s largest code contributor to LibreOffice, which traces its history back to 1985¹ (5 years earlier than Microsoft Office²). As mentioned in the introduction above, we are a core part of the German Government’s openDesk project, and are already used by many more authorities, both local and national.

With this history comes our long-running commitment to interoperability which means that governments can seamlessly integrate us into their existing IT ecosystems, whether they be document management systems, email clients, or cloud storage solutions. Unlike some of our larger proprietary competitors, it’s not ‘my way or the highway’ with Collabora Online.

2. No Hidden Tricks

Collabora Online is built on a foundation of open-source software, which aligns perfectly with the principles of transparency and openness that governments value. This ensures that governments have full access to the source code, allowing them to review, modify, and tailor the software to meet their unique needs. It’s the epitome of control and autonomy.

Furthermore, we are committed to long-term support and development. Governments can rely on a stable and continuously evolving office suite that adapts with their needs. As an open-source solution bringing zero risk of vendor lock-in, governments and civil servants also need not fear of having their data or certain functionality held ransom as is increasingly being seen in the adoption of granular subscription models³ .

3. Data Security and Privacy

Arguably this should have taken top spot on the list. Governments are rightly concerned about services that require exporting data to third-party companies operating in foreign jurisdictions (we’re looking at you Office 365/Teams). Whilst GDPR regulations are going some way to reduce extra-national jurisdictional questions (more on that here [link to GDPR post]), the only real solution for governments is to host their applications and data themselves, or with a local hosting service, an option unavailable from any other leading collaborative document editor.

Collabora Online brings real-time collaborative editing, twinned with the highest levels of security[security onion link] and on-premise hosting. Utilizing Collabora Online, governments can protect their data while collaborating effectively.

4. Cost-Efficiency

One of the top priorities for governments is to provide value-for-money services for their citizens. Collabora Online provides a cost-effective solution without compromising on quality. We allow governments to reduce licensing costs associated with proprietary software while still enjoying a full-featured and powerful office suite for document creation, editing, and collaboration.

Collabora Online isn’t just an office suite, we’re a partner in the quest for digital sovereignty. Public bodies worldwide are recognizing the importance of maintaining control over their digital infrastructure, and Collabora Online offers a robust and flexible solution that aligns with these goals. As we continue to work on the openDesk project and similar initiatives, Collabora reaffirms our commitment to supporting governments in their journey toward digital sovereignty.

Keep your data secure with Collabora Online.

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Collabora Online – Safe, Powerful, Flexible.

As a leading open-source software company, we are thrilled to be part of a groundbreaking initiative that promises to revolutionize digital sovereignty in public administration. The openDesk project¹, led by the German Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) in collaboration with a large team of open-source experts from Collabora, Dataport, Univention, OpenXchange, Nextcloud, XWiki, OpenProject, and others, promises to redefine the way governments interact with technology.

What is openDesk?

More than just a project, openDesk is a vision of digital freedom and self-determination for governments and organizations across Europe². At its core, openDesk is a digital workplace designed to offer a holistic, open, and sustainable alternative to proprietary software. It’s about reducing dependencies on global tech giants and taking control of critical data.

As such, we are excited to play a crucial role in this ambitious endeavor. We are contributing our expertise to the openDesk project, as the leading provider of open-source office productivity software. Essential tools such as Collabora Online will empower public administration to work efficiently and securely while maintaining full control over their data.

An overview of all planned components for the basic release at the end of 2023³

Why does openDesk matter?

We love a number of the principles behind the openDesk which align well with our mission, including but not limited to:

• Digital Sovereignty: We want to put users such as governments in control of their technology infrastructure.
• Open Source: The project relies on open-source software, emphasizing transparency and flexibility, and collaborating around the code in public, which is core to our business.
• Collaboration: With multiple partners involved, openDesk showcases the power of collaboration in tackling large migration projects.
• Serving Users: Building the openDesk reference implementation with the German Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community will enable us to bring Open Source to a large number of Government seats across Europe.

Our Involvement

Collabora Online is a vital part of the project because of our history deeply rooted within the open-source community. For years, we have been at the forefront of enabling organizations to break free from proprietary software and embrace open-source solutions, fostering digital sovereignty and independence. Additionally, Collabora Online’s foundation in LibreOffice, a renowned and extensively tested open-source office suite, brings an added layer of reliability and trust to the project.

Since government documents have typically been created using Microsoft Office, Collabora Online is an excellent choice for the new web office component of the openDesk platform due to our excellent interoperability with other document editors.

Documents migrated into openDesk should maintain a nearly identical look and equivalent functionality, and workflows to create and review documents must be similar enough to be comfortable and easily discoverable. Not content to sit back and relax however, we continue to work on this area with every iteration of Collabora Online.

What we’ve worked on

We are implementing a number of changes and updates to Collabora Online to further improve our integrations with other service providers, and better fit the specific requirements of the German government. Examples of these changes include new integrations with modules such as the Zotero citation and reference management tool, improved accessibility (for example our new dark mode or screen reader functionality), multi-page floating tables, compact pivot tables, multi-stop gradients, document navigation, and much more!

It is an exciting project to be part of, and we are thankful to the German government for their investment and partnership.

Looking Ahead

As openDesk progresses, it will offer European governments a true open-source alternative reference implementation, built with modularity, interchangeability, and interoperability in mind. While the initial release is planned for the end of 2023, this project is set to have a lasting impact on how governments approach digital technology.

We applaud the German Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community’s dynamic leadership in making this project a reality, along with Dataport’s support. Together with the other contributors to the project, Collabora is excited to be part of this journey towards digital sovereignty. Together we are working towards a more open, secure, and sustainable digital future for all.

Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting project!

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