I deliberately take on only a few projects at a time – but each one personally.
Open source · infrastructure · support

Digital solutions that stay under your control

Formatgeber helps small and medium-sized businesses operate tools such as Nextcloud, Matomo or Vaultwarden with more independence, privacy and long-term maintainability. Open source is not the goal in itself: the right solution is the one that improves your workflow and fits your budget.

From a concrete need to the right solution

Open source is used where it creates a clear, practical benefit.
01Files & collaboration

Nextcloud

Shared storage and clear access control
02Web analytics

Matomo

Transparent insights with less unnecessary dependence
03Passwords

Vaultwarden

Central team management after a security review
04Operations

Backups & monitoring

See early when something fails or needs restoring

When dependence becomes a problem

Businesses often spread files, analytics, passwords and internal workflows across more and more platforms. We assess which services should genuinely be replaced – and which are better left in place.

Less platform lock-in

Reduce dependence on individual providers without rebuilding workflows that already work.

More data control

Locations, access, backups and responsibilities are documented clearly.

Personal support

You work with one person who understands the website, solution and operation together.

Nextcloud, Matomo, Vaultwarden and other systems

Depending on the starting point, an independent solution can complement or gradually replace individual services. You get a recommendation related to your daily work, not a collection of technology buzzwords.

Files and collaboration

Nextcloud for shared files, permissions and access when an owned workspace makes sense.

Privacy-conscious analytics

Matomo for transparent web analytics with less dependence on advertising platforms.

Passwords and access

Vaultwarden as a possible shared password store, subject to an individual security review.

Backups and internal workflows

Automated backups, monitoring, internal web apps, customer portals and integrations where standard tools fall short.

What can be implemented

The foundation is selected for the task. Options include self-hosted business solutions, virtual and managed servers, Docker-based applications, domain and DNS management, migrations and ongoing maintenance.

Germany or the EU

Operation can be planned on infrastructure in Germany or the European Union, with providers named transparently.

Mail with caution

A private mail server is not a simple standard product. Deliverability, spam protection, security and maintenance must be assessed first.

No technology for its own sake

If an established cloud service is the better choice, I will say so clearly.

How we work together

We review data, users, integrations, security requirements and responsibilities, then define a realistic solution with effort, ongoing costs and an operating model.

1. Understand the starting point

Which services are used, where does data live and which workflow should improve?

2. Evaluate the solution

Compare options by benefit, effort, cost and maintainability.

3. Introduce it safely

Set up, test, document and – where agreed – maintain and monitor the solution.

Boundaries and prerequisites

Open source does not remove operational responsibility. Servers, domains, licences, external services and maintenance may add costs. Legal advice and binding privacy assessments are not part of the technical service.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to replace every cloud service?

No. We assess each service by its actual benefit. Open source is not a goal in itself.

Is open source automatically free?

The software may be license-free, but setup, servers, backups, updates, support and external services still take effort and may cost money.

Can my data stay in Germany?

For many solutions this can be planned on German or European infrastructure. The exact location and providers are clarified beforehand.

Do you provide private mail servers?

Only after a technical review. Deliverability, spam protection, security updates and monitoring make this unsuitable as a standard package.

Who handles updates later?

The offer defines this: documented handover, occasional support or an ongoing maintenance agreement.

Plan infrastructure with good judgement

Tell me which service you would like to replace or control better. I will reply with an honest first assessment.