---
tags: openzaak
URL: introduction-en.md
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# Introduction: Open invitation for market parties to join the OpenZaak community

<div class="navoz"><a href="https://hackmd.io/b6mszG6HRjyDGRCi72_y2w">Home</a> | Introduction | <a href="https://hackmd.io/OFGiBKmLSh6ug7Gpv3Hbzw">Our proposals and questions</a> | <a href="https://hackmd.io/AQOmgrpSQIeMVC4OhFxKDA">How to respond</a></div>

OpenZaak is an open source codebase commissioned by a coalition representing over 45 municipalities including Amsterdam, Arnhem, Delft, Haarlem, ’s-Hertogenbosch, Rotterdam, Tilburg, Hoorn, Medemblik, Utrecht, SED (composed of Stede Broec, Enkhuizen and Drechterland) and Dimpact (composed of more than 30 municipalities).

The first production-ready iteration was completed in February 2020. The OpenZaak community is now looking for market parties to help co-create a vision for what a scalable vendor network and community could look like. OpenZaak has the potential to scale to all Dutch municipalities.

The outcome of this market consultation will inform how municipalities start procuring vendor support to help with their implementations.

## What does OpenZaak do?

The OpenZaak codebase helps Dutch municipalities comply with the [VNG standard for case management](https://www.vngrealisatie.nl/producten/api-standaarden-zaakgericht-werken) (zaakgericht werken). It consists of Python-based backend components which provide production-ready APIs for municipalities. More information about the codebase can be found on the [OpenZaak Github repository](https://github.com/open-zaak/open-zaak).

## Enabling a healthy vendor community

The participating municipalities are now looking for interested vendors to support them in implementing the codebase (including in the development, maintenance, implementation and support). The ambition is to have a healthy open source community in which vendors are empowered to grow the market for OpenZaak, and procurement is simplified and standardized.

For this, we believe it is important to have an open and collaborative community, including a single codebase with a common governance structure and a shared understanding on bug fixes and support. More information on the municipalities’ needs, draft vision, and open questions can be found in [our proposals and questions](https://hackmd.io/XJ0rLW4pQXCJjZIw9A7ArQ) and the [draft governance document](governance.md).

## About this market consultation

Market parties interested in participating are asked to carefully [review our proposals](https://hackmd.io/XJ0rLW4pQXCJjZIw9A7ArQ) and respond to the questions listed there.

Answers must be received by Niels Lindeboom before 1-5-2020. Based on these answers, market parties may be invited to one or several workshops together with the municipalities to define how to set up the OpenZaak community. More information about this market consultation process can be found in [how to respond](https://hackmd.io/AQOmgrpSQIeMVC4OhFxKDA).

This market consultation is being run by [Dimpact](https://www.dimpact.nl/), on behalf of the OpenZaak municipalities, supported by the [Foundation for Public Code](https://publiccode.net/).

<div class="navoz"><a href="https://hackmd.io/b6mszG6HRjyDGRCi72_y2w">Home</a> | Introduction | <a href="https://hackmd.io/OFGiBKmLSh6ug7Gpv3Hbzw">Our proposals and questions</a> | <a href="https://hackmd.io/AQOmgrpSQIeMVC4OhFxKDA">How to respond</a></div>

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