Estonian technology company Nortal is one of the most active digital players from Estonia in the German market. With offices in Berlin and Dresden and over 300 employees in Germany, Nortal supports public institutions, medium-sized companies, and industry players in implementing digital strategies – from process consulting and software development to AI-supported applications.
Nortal is part of the global Nortal Group, headquartered in Tallinn, with over 2,700 employees and projects in over 10 countries. The experience gained from setting up the Estonian digital administration, e-Estonia, flows directly into the development of individual solutions for the German market.
On behalf of the Lower Saxony State Health Office (NLGA), Nortal developed an AI-powered chatbot that automatically answers citizen inquiries. The goal was to provide faster access to reliable health information and reduce the workload of employees – particularly for standardized questions.
AI-powered chatbot for the Lower Saxony State Health Office
The chatbot is the first of its kind within a Lower Saxony authority – and one of the first AI-based chatbots to be deployed by a health ministry in Germany. It provides 24/7 access to verified information on topics such as infectious diseases, vaccinations, and hygiene measures.
Since going live in 2023, the chatbot has handled over 4,000 unique inquiries – averaging more than 80 per week. While there has not yet been a crisis or emergency to significantly increase traffic, the system is designed to scale. During the pandemic, for example, five additional staff members were needed to handle the volume, a task the chatbot can now manage autonomously.
Thanks to the automated process, the latest information is always available, and most questions are answered directly by the bot, resulting in clear efficiency gains for both public administration and citizens.
Impact-oriented procurement—smarter shopping with digital tools
Public procurement in Germany is often based on short-term costs, important factors such as sustainability, operating costs, or social added value are often not taken into account.
Nortal supports public authorities in making procurement more strategic and impact-oriented. The focus is not only on price, but on the entire life cycle of a product – from its carbon footprint to its digital connectivity.
“Impact-oriented procurement not only makes investments more efficient, but also socially meaningful, and creates trust in the use of public funds,” said Darian Hasshoff, Head of Public Sector at Nortal Germany.
Nortal enables offers to be assessed based on clear impact targets, such as energy savings and regional value creation. Decision-making is grounded in dependable data rather than solely on price comparisons. The tendering process becomes more predictable, traceable, and future-proof.
For example, when selecting an IT solution, CO₂ footprint, accessibility, and maintenance costs were evaluated in addition to price. The result: a more sustainable and cheaper solution in the long term—despite higher acquisition costs.
Smart factories – digitalisation during ongoing operations
Nortal also supports companies in gradually digitising their production in an open-system manner, without complete restructuring.
Germany is one of the world’s leading industrial locations, but there are gaps in the use of production data, networked processes, and digital knowledge transfer, especially in small and medium-sized enterprises.
To address these challenges, Nortal offers approaches that help companies unlock the full potential of digitalisation. Machine data is analysed in real time to prevent errors, optimise maintenance schedules, and improve capacity utilisation. Digital assistance systems are key in securing operational knowledge by documenting processes, supporting onboarding for new employees, and preserving critical know-how. Furthermore, Nortal enhances existing infrastructure by integrating sensors, interfaces, and cloud connectivity—making existing systems future-proof without requiring complete overhauls.
These digitalisation strategies offer tangible advantages for companies. By increasing machine utilisation and reducing downtime, businesses can significantly boost operational efficiency. Real-time data analysis enables faster response times in the event of malfunctions, minimising disruptions. Moreover, data-driven decision-making supports sustainable cost reductions across production processes. Importantly, all of this is achieved without the need for costly new investments—ensuring that companies remain competitive and future-proof with their existing infrastructure.
GOOD TO KNOW
Nortal in Germany
- Locations: Berlin and Dresden since 2025
- Employees: over 300 in Germany
- References: Deutsche Bahn, Berlin Senate Administration, Audi Interaction, G-BA, among others
- Customer segments: Public administration, healthcare, industry, SMEs
- Growth: +33% revenue per year since 2019
This content is funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU.
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