Efficient, modern and future-proof
In an increasingly digital world, we not only see the challenges, but above all the opportunities to make our administrative processes more efficient, modern and future-proof for citizens and companies alike.
Whether it's registering a business, filing a tax return or applying for subsidies, digital administrative services enable companies to conveniently handle many administrative procedures online and even automatically in some cases. This saves time, reduces costs and at the same time ensures greater transparency and traceability. For commercial enterprises, this means more planning security and greater competitiveness.
But where does digital administration stand today - and what does this mean for companies in everyday life? In this blog article, we take a look at a successful example from North Rhine-Westphalia and show the potential of digital administrative services for the economy.
The OZG as the key to digital administration
A key driver of this development is the Online Access Act (OZG). It obliges the (German) Federal Government, federal states and local authorities to make their administrative services available digitally. The aim is to be able to access all relevant services via a central user account - without media discontinuity, without duplicate data entry and regardless of time and place.
Services such as business registration, building permits, subsidy programs and tax certificates are particularly relevant here. However, despite great progress, we are seeing that the digital availability and user-friendliness of these services still vary greatly depending on the federal state.
Best practice: The Wirtschafts-Service-Portal.NRW
The Wirtschafts-Service-Portal.NRW is an outstanding example of how digital administrative processes can succeed. Further developed since 2018, it now offers almost 400 business-related administrative services digitally as a central platform - without media discontinuity, optimized for mobile use and with a high degree of user-friendliness.
Business registrations, permits and applications can be submitted completely online - without any paperwork. An AI-supported search, a digital payment service and extended help functions make the portal even more attractive.
This platform acts as a central point of contact for all administrative issues - around the clock. It reduces bureaucracy, creates trust in digital administration and provides noticeable relief in day-to-day business.
Secure authentication - a must for the economy
Secure authentication plays a decisive role, especially for sensitive company data. In the Wirtschafts-Service-Portal.NRW, this will be carried out in future via our eID solution ID Mercury. It will then make it possible to integrate different eID systems at the same time - such as the BundID and the nationally standardized company account ELSTER.
Another advantage for federal states and local authorities is that this solution is continuously being developed and adapted to new requirements as part of the IT Planning Council - a real plus for future-proofing digital administrative processes.
One for all: EfA after-use
The EfA principle of "one for all" pursues a particularly sustainable approach. Here, one state or a state alliance develops a digital solution centrally and makes it available to others. This is also the case with the Wirtschafts-Service-Portal.NRW. In this way, the functioning solutions in use are available more quickly and standardized nationwide.
A multi-client-capable business service portal is currently being developed that will allow municipalities and federal states to integrate digital forms and processes directly into their systems - via API and interfaces, web components or parametric links. Here, too, login is via an interoperable user account that can be adapted to country-specific requirements.
A look into the future: digital identities in Europe
We are looking forward to the next steps in the area of digital identities. Together with partners such as the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection and Energy of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, we are working on integrating the European EUDI wallet into digital administrative processes. This digital identity wallet should enable citizens and companies to manage identity data securely and legally - even across national borders.
The wallet is based on the revised eIDAS Regulation and should be available in all EU countries by the end of 2026. We welcome the fact that prototypes are already being developed in Germany - in some places with the involvement of Governikus. We enable integration into administrative portals such as the Wirtschafts-Service-Portal.NRW via a so-called EUDI wallet gateway.
Our conclusion
The digitalization of public administration is progressing - and we see ourselves as an active part of this change. For citizens as well as for companies. Digital solutions such as the Wirtschafts-Service-Portal.NRW show what is already possible today. At the same time, we are optimistic about developments in the area of digital identities, standardized interfaces and European integration.
What is needed now is a joint commitment from the state, business and technology partners. Because only if we work together can we create a digital administration that brings us all real added value - efficient, secure and future-oriented.