Neckarsulm/Saarbrücken, 16 October 2026 – Bechtle has secured the contract to provide digital devices for schools across the German state of Saarland. As part of the state’s device loan programme, the Landesweite Systematische Medienausleihe Saar (LSMS), the company will supply students and teachers with Apple iPads and accessories from Bechtle’s own brand Articona. Tendered by the district of Saarlouis on behalf of the school authorities, the framework agreement has a value of up to €80 million and an initial term of 12 months, with the option of three one-year extensions. The Saarland Ministry of Education and Culture and 52 school authorities representing a total of 333 schools are eligible to purchase under the framework agreement. As a certified Apple Premium Education Partner, Bechtle will also handle all the services required throughout the devices’ lifecycle, from procurement and financing to logistics, support, returns, certified data erasure and remarketing.
Bechtle’s Saarbrücken IT system house will lead the implementation, serving as the central point of contact and coordinating all rollout, service and project management activities. Other Bechtle Group companies will also contribute, with Bechtle Financial Services AG responsible for financing, insurance and remarketing, and Bechtle Logistik & Service overseeing procurement and logistics.
Central platform for management and service
Central to the solution is EduHubSaar, a platform developed by Bechtle for end-to-end asset and lifecycle management, covering procurement, device management, deployment, support, repairs and returns. Drawing on experience from previous projects in the education sector, the platform is used to manage tens of thousands of devices throughout their lifecycle. As an experienced Apple Premium Education Partner, Bechtle brings the expertise needed to deliver a project of this scale and complexity, with a focus on creating the best possible environment for teaching and learning.
Creating value in the region
The project also has a strong regional focus when it comes to logistics and services. Bechtle will work with two local partners: a social enterprise for device preparation, supporting the state’s economy as well as the inclusion and employment of people with disabilities, and a certified Apple Independent Repair Provider (IRO). Short transport routes, local rollout teams, reusable packaging and a structured take-back process including remarketing all contribute to sustainable device management and help conserve resources throughout the devices’ lifecycle. “This contract demonstrates the strength of our connected business model. Through close collaboration between our specialised Bechtle companies, our local presence and strong partnerships in the region, we have developed a solution that meets both the technological and economic requirements of the project. This lays the foundation for a high-performing digital education infrastructure in Saarland,” said Christian Walter, Managing Director of Bechtle IT System House Saarbrücken.
