Wetteraukreis manages the IT infrastructure of 85 schools with over 43,000 students and around 4,200 teachers through a centralized system — efficient, privacy-compliant, and accessible across all locations. UCS@school serves as the central platform for identity management, enabling a flexible, reliable, and future-proof IT landscape for schools across the entire district.

Anwender

User

  • 85 schools
  • 43,000 pupils
  • 4,200 teachers
  • 6,200 PCs/notebooks, 6,400 iPads, 1,900 interactive whiteboards, 800 projectors
  • 1,000 printers, 184 servers, 3,800 access points, 1,700 switches
  • 16 IT staff at the school authority + 10 technical staff from the IT service provider
Checkliste

Requirements

  • Centralized management of user accounts and devices across all 85 schools
  • Automated data import from LUSD, the state’s teacher and student database
  • Single sign-on across numerous systems — including BYOD scenarios
  • Seamless access for staff and students across all locations
  • Privacy-compliant integration of Microsoft Office 365
  • Access to personal cloud storage anytime, anywhere
  • Centralized deployment of customized software and app packages for different school types
  • Efficient device management via a powerful mobile device management (MDM) system
Lösung

Solution

  • Central identity and access management using UCS@school as the core platform
  • Geo-redundant operation of eight UCS@school servers in the service provider’s data center
  • Data import from the state-wide LUSD database (full automation pending approval from the state of Hesse)
  • Single sign-on for a wide range of connected systems and services
  • Integration of pseudonymized Microsoft Office 365, a Nextcloud-based WK school cloud, and Active Directory
  • Authentication of private devices via UCS-based RADIUS servers
  • Central iPad management and app distribution via MDM (Relution)
  • Cross-site access and administration of all school accounts

Read more about the project on our blog!

Centralized School IT for 85 Sites

Wetteraukreis has built one of the largest school IT infrastructures in Germany – centrally managed, privacy-compliant, and efficiently supported. With UCS@school as the identity management system, over 40,000 user accounts and several thousand end devices are centrally administered. Key benefits include a high degree of automation in user management, seamless integration of both existing and future IT services and systems, and the ability to manage infrastructure consistently across all school locations.

A special focus was placed on integrating a powerful cloud storage solution accessible from anywhere, as well as enabling secure and privacy-compliant use of personal devices (BYOD).

User-Centric, Automated, Privacy-Compliant

The transition to UCS@school brought significant improvements: personal logins replaced anonymous systems, and administration is now based on data from Hesse’s state-wide LUSD database. Today, all teachers and students in Wetteraukreis can log in at any school location using their personal credentials and access their data and files — regardless of where they teach or learn.

For the use of Microsoft Office 365, a pseudonymization concept was implemented to avoid transmitting real names, fully complying with Hesse’s data privacy requirements. The software is installed locally on all school-owned devices and is also accessible via the central school portal for personal devices.

On-Site Support: Digitalization Officers Assist Schools

In addition to the technical infrastructure, Wetteraukreis emphasizes direct, local support. Four specially trained Digitalization Officers support schools with pedagogical IT questions. An extended ticketing system allows teachers to quickly and easily request help — whether in the classroom or in the staff room. This low-threshold support model has proven effective and contributes to smoother day-to-day IT operations in schools.

Central Software Management With UCS@school

More than 450 IT applications are centrally deployed and regularly updated — tailored to the needs of each school type. Cloud access is provided via a Nextcloud-based solution with personalized storage quotas for both teachers and students. A dedicated mobile app — the WK SchulCloud — ensures easy access, even from mobile devices.

All iPads in daily school use are managed via the Relution Mobile Device Management system, which is fully integrated with UCS@school. This enables centralized, location-independent setup, configuration, and management of devices — efficiently, securely, and in compliance with data protection regulations.

This is what our customer says.
  • „UCS@school is the backbone of our school IT and enables digital learning and working across our schools. What stands out in particular is the system’s reliability and stability — even across a large number of schools spread throughout our geographically expansive district. The solution not only meets our technical requirements, but also fulfills the strict data protection and security standards that are essential in an educational environment. Thanks to the well-thought-out architecture and the expert support from our IT service provider Horn & Cosifan, we can rely on a functioning and future-proof school IT system.”

Why Univention?

For Wetteraukreis, the key factors in choosing UCS@school were its scalability, openness, and flexibility in integrating with other systems. The platform enables centralized management of complex IT structures across many locations, while still offering the flexibility needed to meet diverse pedagogical requirements.

Seamless integration with existing systems — especially the automated synchronization with the state’s teacher and student database — significantly reduced the administrative workload. Another decisive factor was the ability to smoothly integrate third-party applications into the central identity management system.

As such, UCS@school proved to be the ideal foundation for a future-proof, privacy-compliant, and practical IT solution for schools — even in a geographically large district with unique challenges.

Looking Ahead: Planning for the Future

Even after the successful rollout, the ongoing development of school IT remains a high priority in Wetteraukreis. Future plans include connecting additional systems via the national education login (“Bildungslogin”), expanding automated device management, and further optimizing support processes. In addition, cloud storage requirements will be regularly reviewed and adjusted as needed.

The overarching goal remains clear: to continuously adapt school IT to evolving pedagogical and technical needs — reliably, securely, and with a strong focus on usability.

More References