Scientists from five Dutch universities are experimenting with a cloud system that could provide an alternative to Microsoft365. Radboud University is watching the developments with interest.

Mailing, conferencing, file sharing… At Dutch universities, this is almost always done in an American cloud environment such as Microsoft365 or Google Workspace.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. That is what seventy scientists from AlgoSoc, a consortium studying the impact of algorithms on society, want to demonstrate by participating in a pilot with an alternative cloud service. Five universities are involved in the research programme: Utrecht University, Delft University of Technology, the University of Amsterdam, Erasmus University and Tilburg University.

Influence of algorithms

One reason for the pilot is that different universities use different digital platforms that are not always compatible with each other. Seeking a solution, the researchers called on the help of SURF, the IT cooperative for education and research.

But there is another reason why scientists sought an alternative to BigTech. In the Algorithmic Society, or AlgoSoc, they research the impact of algorithms on society, both from a technical and philosophical point of view. European dependence on US BigTech is also under scrutiny. And it is under increasing pressure.

“It therefore comes as no surprise that the AlgoSoc researchers themselves are looking critically at which tools they can use for research,” says Wladimir Mufty, Digital Sovereignty programme manager at SURF, who is guiding the researchers in using an alternative cloud.

Berlin

Within a so-called Proeftuin (Experimental Garden) of SURF, Mufty has been investigating for some time which platforms could serve as alternatives to Teams from Microsoft365 or Google’s Workspace. This is how he came across Nextcloud, a cloud service used by several German government departments and universities.

Together with colleagues, Mufty visited Nextcloud’s headquarters in Berlin, where they talked to various employees. “That visit gave us confidence. Not only because the software is technically sound, but the organisation around it is also promising. In terms of support, releases, speed and vision.”

Nextcloud’s software focuses on collaboration tools, with functionalities such as file sharing, communication and group management. Because of its flexibility and ability to integrate with other systems – the software is open source – Mufty suggested to AlgoSoc researchers that they use Nextcloud. These responded enthusiastically. Since this month, the system has been rolled out across the five universities in question, with researchers also being given workshops and manuals by SURF.

No licence fees

Large data files can also be stored in Nextcloud. However, the storage itself must take place somewhere physically. ‘This is usually done through cloud providers that offer storage on hard drives in data centers. These data centers are typically located in the Netherlands, Europe, or America. For American cloud providers such as Microsoft, Google, or Amazon, it applies that they fall under American legislation, even if their data is physically stored in a Dutch data center,’ says Mufty

Unlike cloud services like Windows365 or Brightspace, Nextcloud users do not have to pay a licence fee. That means individual users can simply download the software. Nextcloud’s management is paid, though. “You need people to keep the application up and running,” Mufty explains. “Think of the security, the privacy officer, the support officer who has to answer questions.”

In terms of using Nextcloud in the Netherlands, the five universities are at least forerunners. Most organisations and other universities are currently prioritising US hyperscalers such as Microsoft, Google or Amazon. Mufty does have an idea why. “People simply have an unconscious preference for big, well-known companies. They accept Microsoft Teams outages without much resistance, but if a service like Nextcloud has a small hiccup, it is immediately seen as unreliable.”

No Radboud University researchers are involved in the Nextcloud pilot. Nevertheless, the university is watching the outcomes of the pilot with interest, says a university spokesperson. “Because the pilot only started in February 2025, it is a bit too early to comment on whether switching is being considered. We obviously remain in close contact with SURF on this.”