Pilot Nextcloud
As you may know, SURF will start a Nextcloud pilot in 2026. Nextcloud is an open-source collaboration platform. Increasingly, institutions from all sectors are starting to work with Nextcloud. In this way, we as a sector explore alternatives to big-tech applications. See also: https://www.surf.nl/nieuws/onderwijs-en-onderzoek-gaan-verder-met-nextcloud. More detailed information about the pilot can be found on the SURF wiki (https://servicedesk.surf.nl/wiki/spaces/WIKI/pages/248316434/Nextcloud+General+information).
Interest and registration
Are you and/or staff or students from your group interested in participating in SURF’s Nextcloud pilot? Sign up! Registration can be done directly with SURF via this link. It is also possible to register by emailing Frank van Tatenhove (co-ordinator of registrations for the pilot from the UvA: F.G.M.vanTatenhove@uva.nl).
What does the environment offer?
File storage, sharing, and editing; chat and online meetings (meetings, webinars, lectures); contacts and calendars; and productivity apps.
In more detail:
Files: file storage, sharing, and synchronisation (https://nextcloud.com/files/)
Office: online document editing with real-time collaboration (https://nextcloud.com/office/)
Talk: video conferencing, chat, and voice calls (https://nextcloud.com/talk/)
Groupware: calendar, contacts, and email integration (email integration not certain)
Assistant: privacy-focused AI for summarising, drafting, and answering questions (AI not available at the start)
Productivity apps: notes, tasks, project organisation, forms, and more
What does SURF do?
Hosts the environment, provides second-line support, co-ordinates a special interest group, gives implementation advice, and links the environment to SRAM (login with UvAnetID) and Microsoft applications.
What do participating institutions do?
Ensure that at least 20 staff and/or students use the environment on a daily basis, provide first-line support, maintain contact with SURF, participate in the special interest group, provide feedback, and help with evaluation.
What are the costs?
SURF requests a contribution from the institutions. Costs for the UvA are handled centrally. There are therefore no costs for participants.
When and for whom?
All SURF institutions, starting in January 2026, with an initial duration of one year. The environment will be available from 1 February for administrators and from 1 March for end users.