Frankfurt runs cloud without a Kubernetes team
GA-Lotse shows how a health authority can run specialist applications on a managed OpenShift platform and make its code openly available.
Frankfurt’s public health authority uses GA-Lotse, a platform for public health service applications. VSHN operates Red Hat OpenShift as a managed service, while Exoscale provides the infrastructure. The GA-Lotse source code is available via openCode. The case shows how a public authority can divide platform operations and specialist work among several parties.
Key takeaways
- VSHN operates the OpenShift platform. According to the operating partner, public health authorities do not need to train their own team to manage complex Kubernetes infrastructure.
- GA-Lotse supports several specialist workflows. The openCode entry lists modules for school entry health examinations and hygiene, among others.
- The source code is published on openCode. The entry links to the repository and lists AGPL-3.0-only as the licence.
Specialist applications on a managed platform
GA-Lotse is designed to support public health authorities with a range of tasks. Alongside the core module, the Frankfurt public health authority’s openCode entry lists calendars, identity and access management and modules for school entry health examinations and hygiene, among other features.
According to the infrastructure partner, each public health authority receives its own customisable instance. The modules are deployed in a centrally managed federated cloud. According to the provider, personal data and medical information are technically separated.
VSHN handles platform operations
GA-Lotse runs on Red Hat OpenShift. Exoscale provides the cloud infrastructure and VSHN handles managed platform operations. According to VSHN, the application was developed by cronn.
VSHN reports that the platform is in production use in several regions of Hesse. The provider gives differing figures for the time between the contract award and launch. These do not provide a reliable basis for comparing project duration.
Dividing operational and specialist responsibilities
A managed service can bring recurring platform operations tasks together. The authority still needs to determine who prioritises specialist requirements, who is responsible for access and who makes decisions when incidents occur. The service agreement should specify which updates, response times and escalation paths the provider covers.
For other public administrations, the division of responsibilities is therefore critical: the platform, specialist application and data processing each need designated owners. The Frankfurt case describes one possible operating model. The cited sources do not contain an independent comparison measuring savings against an in-house platform team.
Open code needs an operating plan
Other organisations can inspect the published code and reuse it under the relevant licence terms. The openCode entry lists AGPL-3.0-only and links to the repository. Before adopting it, interested parties need to check the licence terms and the exact scope of the components they require.
Even with open code, integration, operations, security and further development still need to be organised. Publication provides a shared technical starting point for this work.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is GA-Lotse?
GA-Lotse is an open platform with applications for public health service tasks. According to openCode, these include modules for school entry health examinations and hygiene.
Who operates the platform?
VSHN operates Red Hat OpenShift as a managed service. Exoscale provides the underlying cloud infrastructure.
Can the code be reused?
The openCode entry links to the repository and lists AGPL-3.0-only. Reuse requires an assessment of the licence terms and the organisation’s own operational needs.
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Translated from the German original using artificial intelligence. The German version is authoritative.
