Government Site Builder (GSB) & TYPO3

The GSB is the online web content management solution for developing, maintaining quality, release and publishing content on the Internet, intranet and extranet. In general “Government Site Builder (GSB) is the content management solution for the German federal administration”. It was created as part of the e-government initiative BundOnline in 2005 as a basic content management system (CMS) component.

Government Site Builder (GSB) is used by ministries, supreme courts, and many subordinate federal institutions. Government Site Builder (GSB) is also the website of the state of Schleswig.Holstein.

Government Site Builder (GSB) provides a standard solution (GSB SL) that covers all the common tasks of a CMS. There are developed extensions and modules to reduce time and financial involvement in introducing a CMS.

GSB 7

GSB 7 was first released in 2010 and was used by over 1,000 government websites at its peak. However, it was no longer supported after 2019 and has been replaced by GSB 10, which is based on the open-source TYPO3 CMS.

Key features of GSB 7:

Easy to use: GSB 7 was designed to be easy to use for non-technical users, with a drag-and-drop interface and pre-built templates.
Secure: GSB 7 met the high security standards of the German government.
Accessible: GSB 7 was compliant with accessibility standards, making it accessible to people with disabilities.
Multilingual: GSB 7 could support multiple languages.

GSB 10

Government Site Builder 10 (GSB 10) is the current iteration of the content management system (CMS) used by German federal and state governments to create and manage their websites. GSB 10 was developed by the Federal Office for Information Technology (BITB) and released in June 2018. Unlike its predecessor, GSB 10 is based entirely on open-source software, making it more cost-effective and customizable for government agencies.

Key features of GSB 10:

Flexible: GSB 10 can be easily adapted to the specific needs of different government agencies. It offers a wide range of features and modules that can be added or removed as needed.
Secure: GSB 10 meets the high security standards of the German government. It includes a number of security features, such as encryption and intrusion detection.
Accessible: GSB 10 is compliant with accessibility standards, making it accessible to people with disabilities.
Multilingual: GSB 10 can support multiple languages.
Responsive: GSB 10 websites are designed to be responsive, meaning that they can be viewed on any device, such as a computer, tablet, or smartphone.
Social media integration: GSB 10 includes features for integrating social media into government websites.

Making an evolution in government website development and management where introduction to Government Site Builder 11 (GSB 11) is taking center stage as it will run on TYPO3. Initially planned for rollout in early 2024. Big changes will be happening in Germany that will affect government offices like ministries, municipal and communal authorities. This is because the software they currently use, GSB version 10, will be depreciated after 2025. It's really important for them to pick a new software that's open-source. Selection of open-source solutions will make things easier, faster, and safer in the future.

TYPO3's security, reliability and flexibility makes it the best framework for new Government Site Builder (GSB 11). What's unique about TYPO3? TYPO3 is an open-source community where people come together to work, share ideas, and push boundaries, creating an active environment for innovation and development. Wide adoption and familiarity with TYPO3, already used by many federal agencies, makes the transition to GSB 11 smoother, reducing learning time and ensuring a seamless migration process. 

TYPO3 is an open-source content management system (CMS) that has become a popular choice for government authorities around the world. There are several reasons why TYPO3 is a trusted choice for these organizations:

Security: TYPO3 is built with security in mind, and it has a number of features that help to protect government websites from attack. For example, TYPO3 can be used to implement two-factor authentication, and it has a built-in intrusion detection system. The system is regularly updated with security patches and adheres to strict coding standards.

Scalability: TYPO3 can be used to build websites of all sizes, from small municipal websites to large national government websites. The system can be easily expanded to accommodate new features and functionality as needed.

Flexibility: TYPO3 is a flexible system that can be customized to meet the specific needs of any government agency. TYPO3 offers a wide range of features and extensions that can be used to create websites that are tailored to the unique requirements of each organization. For example, TYPO3 can be used to create websites with multiple languages, or websites that are accessible to people with disabilities.

Open source: TYPO3 is an open-source system, which means that it is free to use and modify. This can be a major advantage for government agencies, which makes it a cost-effective option for government agencies that are looking to save money on software costs. Additionally, the open-source nature of TYPO3 means that there is a large community of developers who can provide support and assistance.

Compliance: TYPO3 can be used to create websites that comply with a variety of government regulations, including accessibility standards and data privacy laws. The system has a number of built-in features that can help organizations meet these compliance requirements.

Large community: TYPO3 has a large and active community of developers and users. This means that there is a lot of help and support available if you need it.

Key advantages that GSB 11 leverages through its implementation of TYPO3 for public authorities:

Efficiency and Cost-Effectiveness:

Open-source platform: TYPO3 being open-source eliminates licensing fees, reducing initial costs significantly.
Simplified content management: The user-friendly interface and intuitive workflows enable faster content creation and updates, saving time and resources.
Reusable components and templates: Pre-built elements and flexible templates reduce development time and effort, minimizing custom coding needs.
Reduced maintenance costs: TYPO3's robust architecture and active community support contribute to lower maintenance expenses.

Seamless Transition:

Familiar platform for many government agencies: As TYPO3 enjoys widespread adoption in the public sector, transitioning existing websites becomes smoother, requiring less staff training and retraining.
Modular approach: GSB 11 allows migrating components gradually, minimizing disruption and enabling phased implementation.
Integration with existing systems: GSB 11 fosters seamless integration with legacy systems, preserving valuable data and functionality.

Long-Term Stability:

Mature and secure platform: TYPO3 boasts a stable and secure foundation with regular updates and patches, ensuring long-term reliability.
Active community support: The large and dedicated TYPO3 community guarantees consistent maintenance and ongoing development, future-proofing your website.
Compliance with standards: GSB 11 adheres to accessibility and security standards, minimizing compliance risks and ensuring long-term viability.

In addition to these, leveraging TYPO3 with GSB 11 empowers public authorities with:

Enhanced citizen engagement: User-friendly features and mobile-first design promote user experience and interaction.
Improved accessibility: Compliance with WCAG standards ensures wider inclusion and empowers citizens with disabilities.
Multilingual support: Reaching diverse audiences becomes easier with the ability to create content in multiple languages.
Integration with social media: Effective communication and information dissemination are facilitated through seamless social media integration.

In conclusion, Government Site Builder (GSB 11) powered by TYPO3 offers a solution for public authorities looking to build robust, secure, and future-proof websites that meet the needs of their citizens. This partnership empowers governments to deliver on their commitment to efficient, transparent, and citizen-centric services. By leveraging the strengths of both platforms, public authorities gain access to a robust, adaptable, and cost-effective solution for building and managing their online presence.