Architecture and migration
Sizing, target environment, data transfer, cutover and recovery are resolved before production operations.

WZ-IT plans, installs and operates Discourse as managed hosting, in your cloud or on premises. Depending on the target design, we also provide migration, secure network and identity integration, monitoring, backups, updates, integrations and further development.
Companies worldwide trust WZ-IT
The following are trademarks of their respective owners: Discourse (Civilized Discourse Construction Kit, Inc.). WZ-IT is an independent service provider and has no business, partnership, or contractual relationship with these companies. We offer independent migration, installation, hosting, and operations services.

Discourse is a modern, open-source discussion platform that redefines the traditional forum. With features like real-time discussions, integrated chat, AI support, and a fully responsive user interface, Discourse provides a contemporary community experience.
As an independent service provider, we support you in installing, configuring, and customizing this powerful community platform to your individual requirements and business goals. Leverage the benefits of an engaged community for your company, products, or services.
We install, host and operate Discourse for your company - either on our secure, privacy-focused infrastructure in Germany or other locations, as well as on-premise in your own environment.
We provide 24/7 monitoring, backups and maintenance for your Discourse instance. Human response times and support coverage follow the selected service level.
Instead of paginated posts, Discourse offers continuous scrolling with just-in-time loading for more fluid discussions without interruptions.
Create channels for informal conversations between community members and seamlessly transform relevant chat content into structured topics.
Harness the power of artificial intelligence to summarize long topics, moderate content, and enhance community interaction.
Utilize a trust system where members gain additional rights over time and can help with moderation, including spam blocking and conflict resolution.
Discourse was designed for high-resolution touch devices, with a built-in mobile layout and native apps for iOS and Android.
Integrate Discourse seamlessly with your existing login system or leverage social logins like Google, Facebook, Twitter, and GitHub.
Respond to notifications directly via email from any device without visiting the website, and utilize full mailing list support.
Expand your community's capabilities with official plugins for chat integration, topic voting, Google Adsense, and much more.
Everything visible on screen can also be controlled via API calls, with full support for custom integrations and automations.
Professional installation on your infrastructure - on-premise, cloud or hybrid
In your data center
AWS, Azure, Hetzner & more
Advanced architecture after technical and licence assessment
Secure access and access control for your installation
WireGuard, NetBird or Tailscale
Directly or through an upstream identity layer
Depends on application, edition and identity provider
Fail2Ban, Rate Limiting, IP Whitelisting
We set up secure VPN access to your installation - ideal for remote work and external employees.
Full-service installation with no hidden costs
Discourse is a modern Rails app. This makes it extremely customizable. We integrate the forum so deeply into your product that users don't notice they are switching platforms.
Nobody wants a second account. We implement DiscourseConnect so your main application (WordPress, App, Shop) acts as the Identity Provider. Login in the app = Login in the forum.
We reward engagement. A user posts 10 solutions? A webhook informs your CRM or app to award gamification badges or unlock premium support.
We don't change the core. We write plugins (Ruby) for backend logic and theme components (JS/Handlebars) for UI adjustments. 100% update-safe.
How we implement Discourse development in practice.
Blog comments are often spam magnets and isolated from the forum.
We replace the comment section on your website/blog with Discourse topics via JavaScript embed. Discussions take place centrally in the forum.
Certain areas in the forum should only be accessible to paying members (Patreon, Stripe, Steady).
Synchronization of group memberships. When a subscription ends, an API script automatically revokes access to VIP categories in the forum.
Important history lies in a 15-year-old forum that is no longer secure.
Development of import scripts that rescue users, posts, passwords (hashes), and permalinks and cleanly transfer them to Discourse.
We do more than provide an application. WZ-IT designs the technical architecture, integrates network and identity, operates the agreed scope and develops integrations when the standard product is not enough.
Sizing, target environment, data transfer, cutover and recovery are resolved before production operations.
SSO, secure access, internal systems and existing security components are integrated appropriately.
Updates, backups, technical monitoring and response paths follow a transparent operational scope.
APIs, automation and custom extensions can be delivered beyond basic deployment.
The exact scope depends on the application, edition, infrastructure and criticality. Vendor licences and non-standard components are quoted separately.
Collaboration platforms connect communication, files, identities and integrations. We treat them as a complete system rather than a single container.
Browser, desktop and mobile clients access shared workspaces through agreed roles.
TLS, firewall rules, reverse proxies or private network paths are designed around the platform's exposure.
Local accounts, SSO, directories, service accounts and emergency access are connected through clear roles.
Workspaces, communication, sharing and roles are configured and operated in a controlled way.
Messages, content, uploads, search, retention and backups.
Notifications, calls, TURN or further services depending on the feature set.
SSO, provisioning, bots, webhooks and connected business systems.
The diagram is a resilient target model. Its implementation depends on edition, data flows, load, availability objectives and existing infrastructure.
A clearly defined operating scope instead of an opaque hosting flat fee.
We set up a test instance for you, usually on the next business day. No payment details required. After seven days it is deleted unless you continue.
Compute, applications, storage and response are shown separately. You can see what ongoing operations include and which requirements need a technical assessment.
We also design custom Discourse architectures, integrations and migrations. Contact us for a technical assessment.
One managed standard Discourse application is included in the Starter workload. Business and higher levels add a flexible operations allowance for planned work during regular service hours. Select compute, additional applications, storage and the appropriate service level.
A workload is one compute instance with the applications agreed for it.
One standard app per workload is already included. Additional dedicated servers count as separate workloads.
€7.99 excl. VAT per additional 100 GB per month, including daily encrypted offsite backup with 7-day retention. Billing is based on provisioned capacity, not actual usage.
We also implement custom backup schedules and retention periods. For example: daily backups retained for 30 days and one monthly backup retained for 12 months. Scope, storage requirements and additional costs are agreed separately.
+€299 excluding VAT per workload and month
Standard hosting runs on a single instance without high availability. Availability for custom architectures is agreed separately.
Zero downtime on request
Distributed operation with several instances, a database cluster and rolling updates, so that a node failure causes no interruption. Only for applications suited to it; design and price after technical assessment.
This page covers installation and the agreed platform operations for Discourse. Custom code, the access layer and special confidentiality requirements remain clearly separated responsibilities that can be added when needed.
Maintain the application
Keep custom extensions, interfaces and dependencies controlled, updated and supportable.
from €699.90 excl. VAT / month
View serviceSecure access
Add identity-based access and private network paths as a separate operational layer.
from €349.90 excl. VAT / month
View serviceOperate confidentially
For professional secrecy holders, define contractual, access and infrastructure requirements in a dedicated operating model.
from €499.90 excl. VAT / month
View serviceThree relevant adjacent paths instead of a long list of further products.
All prices are net and exclude statutory VAT. The offers are addressed to businesses.
View the overall systemEnquiry
Briefly describe the current state and objective for Discourse. We assess infrastructure, integration, and ongoing operations.
As an alternative to managed hosting in the data centre, WZ-IT provides the hardware, configures Discourse, and handles hardening, monitoring, updates, backup and technical support. Access can be limited to the internal network or enabled through VPN and existing identities.
from EUR 349 excl. VAT / month · plus one-time provisioning and initial setup

These solutions are often used together with Discourse
These solutions offer similar functionalities and can be evaluated together
No risk: worst case, you leave with a clearer understanding of your project than before.


“WZ-IT's advice on our Azure migration was technically sound and completely non-binding right from the intro call - we took away a great deal.”
“WZ-IT moved our studio infrastructure from decentralised individual devices to a central platform: every site is securely connected via VPN, new devices are onboarded automatically and an entire site is provisioned from a template, without manual steps on location. What impressed me most is the breadth and depth of their knowledge: Timo and Robin are not a typical IT provider who sets up a server and leaves. The two of them think their way into highly complex infrastructure and software topics, work through every requirement we put in front of them, and build networking, provisioning and operations so that everything fits together in the end. WZ-IT is an excellent partner for complex software, network and architecture projects.”

Steve Kirchner
Managing Director, nextGYM GmbH

Whether a specific IT challenge or just an idea - we look forward to the exchange. In a brief conversation, we'll evaluate together if and how your project fits with WZ-IT.