AI-powered software development—without code in third-party clouds

Copilot Alternative

An AI coding assistant like Copilot, but your source code never leaves your computer. We integrate tools like OpenCode with a self-hosted model (vLLM or NWS-AI) and connect GitLab and your IDEs—autocomplete, refactoring, tests, and documentation, all in compliance with data protection regulations.

Code stays in-house

Your source code isn’t sent to GitHub or Microsoft—the AI runs on your infrastructure or at NWS in the EU.

In your editor

VS Code, JetBrains, and others are integrated via OpenAI-compatible plugins—no need for the team to switch tools.

GitLab Integration

AI right in your repositories, merge requests, and CI/CD—right where your development takes place anyway.

Model of your choice

Self-hosted Open-Weight-Code models or a Frontier model like Claude via API—depending on the task.

Predictable costs

No “Pro-Seat” trap: Open-Weight models offer great value; you pay per user for operation rather than per-license fees.

GDPR & Compliance

Processing in our own data center or in the NWS Cloud (EU, ISO 27001) – ideal for IP protection and audits.

The Problem

AI coding assistants speed up development tremendously—but popular cloud services send your source code outside your organization.

Code Flows into Third-Party Clouds

Copilot & Co. send source code to U.S. providers. For industries with protected intellectual property and those subject to regulation, this is often a no-go.

Per-Seat Costs & Lock-in

License per developer, no impact on the model or operations—and costs that rise as the team grows.

No reference to one’s own code

Generic assistants aren’t familiar with your internal libraries, conventions, and repositories—so their suggestions are only half-right.

How we work with you

Four steps, identical for every NETWAYS solution—from the right tooling to a production-ready, data-protection-compliant coding assistant.

Step 1

Analysis & Concept

We determine the programming languages, IDEs, repositories, and data protection requirements, and select the appropriate tools and code models.

→ A setup that fits your stack—not a one-size-fits-all solution.

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Step 2

Setup & Integration

We set up the self-hosted wizard (e.g., OpenCode) along with the model backend (vLLM or NWS-AI) and integrate IDEs and GitLab.

→ Developers continue to work in their usual editor.

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Step 3

Implementation & Team Enablement

Go-live: We’ll show the team how to work with AI—where it excels and where it doesn’t—clearly distinguishing it from pure “vibe coding.”

→ Realistic expectations and a professional approach instead of hype.

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Step 4

Support & Operations

Upon request, we can handle operations, updates, and model maintenance (MyEngineer)—or we can train your team to manage it themselves.

→ A reliable assistant without its own MLOps team.

Building Blocks of Your Solution

For each module, you decide how much you manage yourself and where you rely on NETWAYS services.

AI Development Assistant

Coding Assistant

A self-hosted assistant like OpenCode provides autocomplete, refactoring, explanations, and tests—the Copilot features without the need for the cloud.

Result: familiar convenience, without having to enter a code.

Model Hosting

Model Backend

An open-weight code model via vLLM in your own data center or as a managed AI model via NWS—and, if needed, a Frontier model via API.

Effect: Code is processed locally or within the EU.

Seamless integration with the editor

IDE Integration

Integration with VS Code, JetBrains, and other editors via OpenAI-compatible plugins—without having to change your daily workflow.

Result: Get up and running right away with the tools you’re used to.

AI in the DevOps Workflow

GitLab & CI

AI directly in repositories, merge requests, and pipelines—for reviews, commit messages, and routine CI/CD tasks.

Impact: AI where your development takes place.

What You’ll Achieve

More productive development, IP protection, full control.

Develop More Productively

Autocomplete, refactoring, testing, and documentation are faster—the team avoids repetitive tasks and stays in the flow.

IP remains protected

Your source code never leaves your infrastructure—which is important for secure processes and regulated industries.

Full Control

You decide on the model, operation, and costs yourself—no seat lock-in, no dependence on a single provider.

What is your solution built with?

Tried-and-true open-source components—run in-house or via NWS. You decide what you’ll do yourself and what NETWAYS will handle.

vLLM

Runs the code model efficiently on your hardware and provides an OpenAI-compatible API—whether self-hosted or as a Managed AI Model via NWS.

OpenWebUI

Chat interface for developers—ask questions about coding knowledge, search your repos and documentation using RAG, all internally.

n8n

Connects the wizard to CI/CD and other systems and triggers routines—such as automatic review comments or changelogs.

GitLab

Repositories, merge requests, and CI/CD—the place where AI integrates directly into reviews, pipelines, and commit workflows.

We’ll integrate what you’re already using with

The assistant integrates seamlessly into your existing development environment—thanks to its OpenAI-compatible interface, no special configuration is required.

Coding Assistants

OpenCode
Continue
Tabby
Cline / Roo Code

Repos & CI/CD

GitLab
GitHub (self-managed)
CI/CD pipelines
Merge Requests

Operations & Privacy Policy

In-house data center
NWS Cloud (EU)
ISO 27001
24/7 MyEngineer

IDEs & Editors

VS Code
JetBrains
Neovim
Claude Code

Model & Backend

vLLM
NWS AI
Open-Weight Code Models
Claude (API)

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions About This Solution

Is there a self-hosted alternative to Copilot?

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Yes. Tools like OpenCode offer Copilot-like features—autocomplete, refactoring, explanations—but can be run using a custom model. When used in combination with vLLM or NWS's Managed AI Models, you retain full control over your code.

What is OpenCode?

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OpenCode is an open-source AI coding assistant that can be self-hosted and connected to a language model of your choice. Here's how to get AI support in the IDE without sending source code to an external cloud service.

Is GitHub Copilot GDPR-compliant?

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At Copilot, code is transferred to services outside the EU for processing, which can be a critical issue depending on the type of data and the industry. A self-hosted alternative with a model in your own data center or at NWS processes the code within the EU—that is the key to data protection.

Can an AI coding assistant be deployed on-premises?

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Yes. The assistant and model run on your own hardware—nothing leaves your home. If you don't want to run GPUs, you can use the model via the German, ISO-certified NWS Cloud instead.

Which editors are supported?

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The OpenAI-compatible API allows you to integrate popular editors such as VS Code, JetBrains IDEs, and Neovim—often using the same plugins you use for other AI assistants. Only the base URL and API key point to your own model.

What's the difference between this and "Vibe Coding"?

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In "Vibe Coding," you let the AI generate code largely on its own and adopt it without checking it. Professional AI software development uses AI specifically as a tool—with reviews, testing, and a clear understanding of its strengths and weaknesses. We teach the team exactly how to handle this.

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