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OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE FOR UNIVERSITIES

Secure Technologies for the Education of Tomorrow

Open source software for universities is based on the work of various communities and offers many benefits for academic institutions. Open source means that the software is freely available, and there are no licensing fees for universities or other users. elan is also part of the open source communities and collaborates with many other institutions and developers to further develop the software.

Open source software for universities is flexible, as it can be customised to meet the specific needs of each institution. For the cloud hosting services offered by elan, the climate-friendly servers of the GWDG are used, making open source software not only a long-term but also a sustainable solution. The quality of open source software relies on the independent collaboration of developers, resulting in clean code and the immediate identification and resolution of potential issues. Direct involvement in software development aligns with the goals of research and teaching, ensuring future-ready technologies and fostering innovation.
Error im Code durch mehrere Entwickler:innen schneller gefunden

A Strong Network

Universities and academic institutions benefit from each other

elan e.V. places a high value on the quality of open source software for universities. We focus on solutions that are both flexible and secure, and that we actively continue to develop ourselves. In this way, we advance research and education while creating suitable conditions for academic institutions. We offer as customised solutions as possible for small, medium, and large universities, ensuring that all needs are met. The non-profit aspect of open source software for universities is particularly important to us. Our goal is to sustainably improve the quality of higher education and make it future-proof.

Through our network, universities across Germany benefit from each other. Various educational institutions, such as Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences and the University of Vechta, already collaborate with elan and support each other in research and teaching. We are committed to e-learning-supported teaching and continuously develop various open source software solutions for universities.
Opencast
Open-Source-Software für Hochschulen

Smart Tools

For a Smooth Everyday Experience at Universities

To meet the individual needs of different educational institutions, elan works with a wide range of open source software for universities. Well-known learning management systems such as ILIAS or Stud.IP offer numerous features designed to simplify the everyday work of university staff. These include course organisation, sharing and managing documents, and communication between instructors and students. With integration into Opencast, events can be recorded, managed as videos, and made available. For particularly user-friendly video delivery, the open source video portal Tobira is ideal, offering comprehensive search functionality, customisable pages, and flexible media management. The inventory management system LEIHS simplifies the lending of equipment. BigBlueButton completes the all-in-one package for universities as a tool for video conferencing.

Fully Supported at elan

We support you from development through support to consulting.

As a service provider, we aim to make everyday life stress-free for universities using open source software. We support you from the very beginning and remain your point of contact for any questions or potential issues. In developing open source software for universities, we integrate learning management systems and other open source tools. We handle both backend and frontend development with a focus on optimal UX design. We also offer the integration of features and plugins, such as CourseWareFlow for Stud.IP. Does your university already use open source software? We provide support and reconfigure it as needed. We also take care of regular updates and maintenance. Thanks to our membership in open source communities, we can quickly identify risks and respond immediately. As technical support, we are always by your side.
If you’re still unsure about which open source software your university needs, it’s best to contact our consulting team. We advise you on technology selection as well as security-related questions. Those who want to learn even more will find our training sessions and workshops ideal. We place particular emphasis on making our offerings accessible and valuable to you. Additional exciting courses on a variety of current topics can be found in the elan Academy. elan has been active for almost 20 years and is highly experienced in the world of digital teaching. We work with clean code and place great importance on accessibility and compliance with GDPR regulations.
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Looking Ahead

Future-Proof Management for a Smooth University Experience

Open source software for universities is widely regarded as future-proof. It is developed on a non-profit basis and remains independent of short-lived commercial business models. The software is intended for long-term use, can be adapted over the years to current needs, and supports sustainable IT infrastructures. At the same time, it provides broad opportunities for actively shaping new and innovative software solutions. Our focus is not only on free software but also on promoting open science. Rapid integration of current scientific requirements demonstrates openness, participation, and equitable digitalisation. Even amid changing demands, open source software offers universities greater flexibility. This forward-looking approach can be integrated into your daily academic work with elan. Our management services are designed to make your work life easier and support your university.

A learning management system (LMS) has become almost essential for universities that want simple course, room, and document management. For both instructors and students, LMS platforms like ILIAS or Stud.IP are indispensable for managing learning materials, organising courses, and facilitating communication. Various user roles with individual permissions can be configured, making the LMS suitable for universities of any size. In addition to learning modules and materials, videos can also be provided. Integration with Opencast automates this process and connects different teaching interfaces seamlessly.
With video management via Opencast, specifically designed for academic institutions, videos can be recorded, stored, and centrally managed. User permissions allow differentiation between who can create videos and who can only view or download certain content. The workflows are fully customisable, automating and simplifying daily tasks. Recordings are usually made using a camera directly in the lecture hall. Alternatively, you can create screen recordings and then edit these videos in the editor—trimming, adding subtitles, and making them available to students as needed.

Proper resource management is also essential, and open source software for universities makes this possible. You can manage equipment and software, with lending systems and device reservations supporting your daily operations. Inventory management with LEIHS reduces your workload and simplifies procurement processes. Integration with external systems ensures smooth workflows. Open source software for universities thus provides clear benefits for both instructors and students and has become an indispensable part of everyday university life.

Collaboration with elan – Let’s Work Together

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