More support for Open Data projects in Berlin Authorities

Supported by donations granted by the Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises, Technologiestiftung Berlin will help upgrade the Open Data offer for the Berlin authorities. The basis for the newly established “Open Data Information Point” (ODIS) is a survey among data providers within the authorities, conducted by the Technologiestiftung Berlin. Today, Christian Rickerts, State Secretary for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises, and Nicolas Zimmer, CEO of Technologiestiftung Berlin, presented the survey and ODIS Information Point to the public. 

State Secretary Christian Rickerts said, “Within the framework of the e-Government Act, Berlin has undertaken to disclose generally available data and to make better use of them. The new ODIS information point will support the authorities in this task. Open Data create more transparency and new business models for the economy.”

Nicolas Zimmer: “To date, there are hardly any binding standards in the complex structure of the Berlin administration on how data are published, which makes it unnecessarily difficult for users to access data. Furthermore, it curbs digital innovation. We estimate that a consistent Open Data strategy for Berlin can yield more than 30 million Euro by 2030, as new business models develop and information can be shared more quickly.”

^{© Svenja Fritz/Senatsverwaltung für Wirtschaft, Energie und Betriebe} 

The new ODIS information point will provide comprehensive support to districts and senate administrations. It begins with the question on which data may be relevant for the data portal, and continues with an inventory of existing records and finally extends to the supervision of ongoing releases. ODIS will work out requirements and provide software tools. The medium-term objective is to work out a central release schedule and data catalogue and to continue data input and administration. The newly established information point will further present a concept for extensive automatization of data input, which is set as a long-term goal. 

The task profile for the new information point was created on the basis of interviews conducted by Technologiestiftung Berlin with employees working in the district and senate administration. The interviews made clear that many employees take an open view of the topic of Open Data. However, so far there has been a lack of coordination and hands-on support. The Berlin data portal <link http://www.daten.berlin.de/ _blank>www.daten.berlin.de</link> currently contains around 1,700 records that are available to the users. They include information about opening hours of the Berlin Christmas markets, about broadband access in the individual districts and about the city’s budget.

In the survey, the data providers formulated their wishes and needs based on their experience. This way, it was possible to identify obstacles for publication and possible pitfalls for working with data and integrate them into the profile for the new information point.

The survey “Open Data in the Berlin authorities. Status quo, needs and perspectives” is available for free download at <link https://www.technologiestiftung-berlin.de/fileadmin/user_upload/Open_Data_in-der-Verwaltung_WEB.pdf _blank - "Opens internal link in current window">www.technologiestiftung-berlin.de/opendata-umfrage</link>. 

Task profile of the Open Data Information Point (ODIS)

Information given by the Berlin district and senate administrations: 

• general information about Open Data
• joint analysis of existing data concerning their Open Data relevance
• technical assistance for Open Data preparation and release
• support for the development of information offers such as apps on the basis of Open Data
• networking with other data providers and users

further development of Open Data instruments:

• Defining general technological standards
• Concept and technological implementation of automated data administration and data updates
• Exchange with other cities on a national and international level