Why opt for a Swiss cloud?
When you decide to migrate to a cloud solution, the choice of provider and its geographical location is of major strategic importance. The Swiss cloud offers a number of unique advantages which set it apart from many international solutions. Let’s take a deep dive into the major benefits that make Switzerland a wise choice when it comes to cloud solutions.
Data protection and enhanced confidentiality
One of the main advantages of the Swiss cloud is its high level of confidentiality and data protection. In Switzerland, the protection of personal and business data is guaranteed by rigorous legislation, in particular the Federal Data Protection Act (DPA). These strict regulations impose severe restrictions on the unauthorised accessing and use of data, offering optimum legal and technical security for cloud users.
An excellent reputation and geopolitical neutrality
Switzerland enjoys an excellent reputation worldwide, in terms of both political and economic security. Its political neutrality down the ages is a major asset in the digital field, particularly in an international environment that is at times turbulent.
Choosing a Swiss supplier therefore enables companies to avoid certain geopolitical risks and ensure that their digital infrastructure enjoys greater stability. This stability also guarantees business continuity even at times of heightened international tension.
Geographical proximity boosts performance
Swiss cloud solutions generally offer data centres that are located close to the country’s main economic hubs, such as Geneva, Lausanne, Zurich and Bern. This proximity reduces latency and improves the overall performance of hosted applications and services.
For companies located in Switzerland or operating mainly in Europe, a Swiss cloud ensures minimal access times, faster data processing and an optimal user experience. This is particularly advantageous for mission-critical applications, financial services and healthcare companies, which require fast, stable access to their data.
Cutting-edge technical facilities and energy infrastructure
Switzerland is renowned for its highly developed and modern technical infrastructure. Its data centres are state-of-the-art, with advanced physical security, backup and redundancy systems guaranteeing high data availability.
What’s more, thanks to the intensive use of renewable energies (e.g. hydraulic, solar and wind power), Swiss data centres also stand out for their energy efficiency and reduced ecological footprint, meaning that they are aligned with the sustainable development approach that an increasing number of businesses are adopting.
Dynamic innovation ecosystem and advanced technological skills
Switzerland is one of the world’s most innovative countries, benefiting from a dynamic technology ecosystem. It is home to renowned universities and research institutes, innovative startups and leading technology companies.
This environment is conducive to continual improvement of the cloud services offered by local providers, who benefit from the latest technological innovations. Users of cloud services in Switzerland benefit directly from these advances, enabling them to maintain a high level of technological competitiveness.
Compliance with international standards and numerous certifications
Swiss cloud providers generally have rigorous certifications, such as ISO 27001 (information security management), ISO 9001 (quality management), and often sector-specific certifications (finance, healthcare). These standards give users the assurance that their suppliers comply with international best practice in data security and management.
By choosing a Swiss cloud solution, companies can ensure that they comply with stringent regulatory requirements, particularly in sensitive sectors such as finance, healthcare, public administration and the pharmaceuticals industry.
High-quality customer support and cultural and linguistic proximity
Finally, choosing a Swiss cloud provider also facilitates communication and technical support. Locally-based support teams often offer multilingual services (in French, German, Italian and English) and have a better understanding of issues that are specific to local businesses. This facilitates day-to-day interactions, improves responsiveness in the event of a problem, and guarantees a better overall user experience.
Criteria for our comparison of Swiss cloud services
To identify the cloud solution best suited to your needs, it’s essential that you carefully assess several key criteria. Here are the main points to consider in detail when comparing Swiss cloud service offerings:
Types of services offered
The first criterion concerns the service categories that cloud providers offer. Depending on your business and technical requirements, cloud solutions are generally classified into three broad and distinct categories:
- Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS).
With IaaS, you gain access to virtual computing resources such as servers, networks and storage, without having to manage the underlying hardware infrastructure. This means you retain control over your operating system, applications and specific configurations. It’s ideal if you want maximum flexibility and precise control over your IT infrastructure. - Platform as a Service (PaaS)
The PaaS solution goes a step further, offering you a whole environment for developing, testing, deploying and managing your applications. You no longer have to worry about hardware constraints or operating system administration, meaning it is much easier to set up new projects quickly and accelerate the development cycle. - Software as a Service (SaaS)
SaaS is the direct use of software applications hosted by the cloud provider. Being very simple to implement, it’s the best option for immediate use, with no complex technical management involved (e.g. e-mail, CRM, collaborative tools). - VPS (Virtual Private Server)
The VPS is an intermediate solution between shared hosting and a dedicated server. It’s based on a physical server that is divided into several isolated virtual machines, each with its own resources (RAM, CPU, storage). The VPS offers a good compromise between cost, performance and flexibility. It is often classified in the IaaS family of services, as it provides a virtual infrastructure on which users can freely install and manage their applications.
It’s an ideal solution for small and medium-sized businesses that need more control than that offered by shared hosting, without incurring the costs of a dedicated server. - Bare metal servers
Bare metal servers are physical machines that are allocated entirely to a single customer. Unlike VPS or IaaS based on a virtual infrastructure, here, no resources are shared. This guarantees maximum performance, enhanced security and total control over the environment.
This type of offering is often offered alongside cloud services, and is aimed at companies with very specific needs in terms of performance, customisation or regulatory compliance. - Shared hosting
Shared hosting is the most economical option: it involves several customers sharing the resources of a single server. It’s very common for simple websites, blogs or small e-commerce platforms. This model doesn’t give you access to system configuration, as the provider takes care of all management matters.
Although it is not one of the ‘pure’ cloud models like IaaS, PaaS or SaaS, it is still widely used in the world of web hosting, particularly for projects with limited budgets or low technical requirements.
You can select a solution that covers one or more of these categories, depending on your operational needs.
Pricing
The pricing model is an important criterion when selecting a cloud provider. In Switzerland, providers generally offer different pricing approaches:
- Pay-as-you-go billing: You only pay for the resources you actually use. This is advantageous when it comes to managing costs, especially if your needs vary from month to month.
- Monthly or annual subscription: This model gives you greater control over your budget, with a fixed, predictable cost, but requires a precise estimate of your initial needs.
- Hybrid models: Combining fixed and variable costs depending on the services consumed.
Clear pricing is also essential. Choose transparent suppliers who display their costs clearly, with no hidden charges or unforeseen costs if you exceed the resources allocated.
Flexible offers
Your business is constantly evolving, and your cloud solution needs to be able to adapt quickly. Check the following criteria to ensure that a cloud offering is sufficiently flexible:
- Ability to rapidly increase or decrease resources (CPU, RAM, storage, bandwidth).
- Easy to add or remove additional services without excessive costs or complex administrative procedures.
- Compatibility with hybrid or multi-cloud environments, enabling easy integration of other providers or platforms.
A flexible solution guarantees the long-term future of your investment, allowing you to avoid costly and complicated migrations.
Security
Security is a critical criterion, one that is all the more crucial when it comes to sensitive data. Here are a few points to check in detail:
- Data encryption: this must be provided for data in transit and data at rest, to protect information effectively.
- Physical security of data centres: rigorous access control, continuous monitoring, and strict procedures in the event of an incident.
- Regular backups and disaster recovery policies: to ensure business continuity.
- Regular audits and penetration tests to identify and address vulnerabilities.
As Switzerland is renowned for its high safety standards, most local suppliers offer advanced measures in this area.
Certifications
Compliance with international standards ensures that your supplier follows best practice in the market. Keep an eye out, in particular, for:
- ISO 27001: international standard for information security management.
- ISO 9001: certification for quality management systems.
- HDS (Health Data Host): essential for the medical and pharmaceutical sectors.
- GDPR/LPD compliance: mandatory to guarantee the protection of personal data in Europe and Switzerland.
These certifications build confidence and facilitate regular audits, particularly for companies subject to strict regulatory constraints.
Customer support and technical assistance
Good technical support is essential, especially in the event of an urgent or critical problem. The following aspects should be carefully considered:
- Support availability: ideally 24/7, with multiple channels (phone, chat, email).
- Supported languages: multilingual support (French, German, Italian, English) is a considerable asset when it comes to easy communication.
- Response and incident resolution times: ask the supplier for guarantees or SLAs (Service Level Agreements) concerning these points.
- Supplier reputation: check customer reviews to assess overall satisfaction with the quality of the support offered.
Good technical support makes your day-to-day work easier, and limits costly disruption to your business in the event of breakdowns or major problems.
The top 6 cloud providers that are 100% Swiss
Infomaniak and its kDrive offer
Offers:
- SaaS solution specialising in personal and collaborative cloud storage.
- Multi-device synchronisation (computers, smartphones, tablets).
- Integrated tools for real-time collaborative document editing.
Highlights:
- Easy-to-use, intuitive interface similar to Google Drive or Dropbox.
- Very competitive prices for generous storage capacity.
- Secure storage exclusively in Switzerland, with advanced encryption.
- Excellent user support: responsive and multilingual.
Limitations:
- Storage and sharing functions only, no IaaS/PaaS offering.
- Limited third-party integration options compared to major international players.
Swisscom Cloud
Offers:
- Complete IaaS solutions: dedicated virtual servers, private/hybrid cloud.
- Advanced PaaS offerings for developers and technology companies.
- SaaS solutions for professional collaboration.
Highlights:
- High levels of security and regulatory compliance (ISO 27001, certifications specific to the financial, healthcare and public administration sectors).
- Excellent performance thanks to its robust, reliable infrastructure.
- Excellent technical support, with advanced contractual guarantees (very high-level SLAs).
- Ability to manage complex, mission-critical environments, particularly for large firms.
Limitations:
- Pricing is generally higher, especially for small and medium-sized companies.
- Solutions sometimes oversized or too complex for straightforward needs.
CloudSigma
Offers:
- Flexible cloud services (IaaS) with customisable virtual servers.
- High-performance cloud storage solutions (high-speed SSDs).
- Hybrid hosting available (public/private cloud).
Highlights:
- Extremely flexible resource customisation (CPU, RAM, storage, bandwidth, etc.).
- Transparent pricing based on actual, accurate consumption (pay-as-you-go model).
- Excellent availability and performance for demanding applications (resource-hungry applications, processing of large amounts of data).
- Secure infrastructure located entirely in Switzerland.
Limitations:
- Technical support in French sometimes limited (English predominates).
- Offer essentially focused on IaaS, with no integrated SaaS or collaborative solutions.
pCloud
Offers:
- SaaS solution specialising in personal and professional cloud storage.
- Automatic backups, multi-device synchronisation.
- Advanced features such as end-to-end encryption (pCloud Crypto) as an option.
Highlights:
- Attractive pricing, with permanent purchase option (lifetime storage with one-off payment).
- Very intuitive interface that is easy to use even for novices.
- Advanced security features, with guaranteed data localisation in Switzerland as an option.
- Excellent solution for collaborative sharing of documents, photos and videos.
Limitations:
- Features limited mainly to storage, backup and sharing, with no advanced collaborative tools such as simultaneous editing.
- Advanced security options (such as pCloud Crypto) for an extra charge.
ProtonDrive
Offers:
- Secure, confidential SaaS cloud storage and sharing solution.
- End-to-end data encryption, with no compromises.
- Secure multi-platform access (web, mobile, desktop).
Highlights:
- Extremely high confidentiality and security thanks to robust encryption.
- Ideal for users with stringent data protection requirements.
- Data kept in Switzerland, with enhanced legal protection.
- Clear, simple interface.
Limitations:
- Amount of free storage very limited (500 MB).
- Lack of advanced integration with third-party productivity applications.
Top 4 international options
Google Drive
Offers:
- Personal and professional cloud storage (SaaS).
- Integrated collaborative tools (Google Docs, Sheets, Slides).
- Real-time multi-device synchronisation.
- Advanced integration with Gmail and Google Meet.
Highlights:
- Ease of use and excellent, intuitive user interface.
- Efficient simultaneous collaboration on documents and files.
- Excellent compatibility with most devices and operating systems.
- Generous free offers for personal use.
Limitations:
- Regular questions on data confidentiality (US jurisdiction).
- Prices can rise steeply as storage requirements increase.
Apple iCloud
Offers:
- Cloud storage mainly for Apple users (iOS, macOS).
- Automatic backup of Apple devices.
- Synchronise photos, documents and other user data.
Highlights:
- Seamless integration with all Apple devices.
- Ease of use and proven reliability.
- Affordable pricing for modest to intermediate needs.
Limitations:
- Not very flexible outside the Apple ecosystem; very limited usages on Android or Windows.
- High costs above a particular storage threshold.
Dropbox
Offers:
- SaaS for storage, sharing and collaboration.
- Advanced collaborative features (Dropbox Paper).
- Efficient automatic synchronisation.
Highlights:
- Compatible with a wide range of devices and operating systems.
- Extensive, easy-to-access collaborative functions.
- Very good version management and easy recovery of deleted files.
Limitations:
- High prices for large volumes, compared with competitors.
- Robust security, but full end-to-end encryption not available by default.
OneDrive or SharePoint
Offers:
- Personal storage (OneDrive) and collaborative storage (SharePoint).
- Extensive integration with the Microsoft 365 suite (Office, Teams, etc.).
- Advanced document management and automated workflow (SharePoint).
Highlights:
- Full integration with Microsoft products, making it particularly useful in professional environments.
- Excellent document management and team collaboration via SharePoint.
- Competitive pricing included in Microsoft 365 licences.
Limitations:
- High administrative complexity, especially for SharePoint, with specific skills required.
- Performance sometimes reduced on non-Windows platforms.
Assess your needs
Before opting for a Swiss cloud solution or an international one, it’s crucial that you carefully analyse your current needs, as well as those that are likely to arise over time. This preliminary assessment is an essential step when it comes to identifying the solution best suited to your business, while guaranteeing optimum cost control and perfect alignment with your business objectives.
As a first step, estimate as precisely as possible the amount of data you’ll need to store and process on a regular basis: take into account all your documents, databases, archives and multimedia files, and also your current backups. Anticipate how your needs are going to evolve in the medium term, so that your cloud space does not become saturated quickly and unexpectedly.
Next, it’s essential that you clearly identify the type of data you hold, taking its degree of sensitivity into account, in particular. Some data, such as personal, financial or medical information, requires specific guarantees in terms of confidentiality, security and regulatory compliance. Carefully check whether the solutions you have in mind meet the legal requirements to which your sector of activity is subject, particularly in relation to Swiss regulations (including the DPA) or European ones (such as the GDPR).
The frequency with which your data is accessed, and the way it is accessed, must also be taken into account. Ask yourself the right questions: will you need to access this data frequently and quickly, or are you planning long-term storage for information that is not in high demand? This will enable you to choose wisely between solutions that are optimised for instant access (“hot” storage) or those where the costs are lower but access to data is slower (“cold” storage).
Think about how your team is going to use the cloud: how many users will have simultaneous access? Is real-time collaboration vitally important to you? If so, choose solutions that facilitate collaboration, are compatible with your existing internal tools, and offer easy management of access authorisations and information sharing.
The level of security you require is also a key criterion. If your data requires maximum protection, make sure your cloud provider offers adequate measures such as advanced encryption, strong authentication and strict backup and restore procedures. You should also take into account the certifications your potential provider holds, along with the geographical location of data centres, for optimum legal protection.
Finally, you should not overlook the matter of the budget. Identify your budget range clearly, considering not only direct costs such as the monthly or annual subscription, but also indirect costs linked to technical support, enhanced security or potential migration costs. By so doing, you’ll be able to choose a flexible solution that can easily evolve as your business grows, while maintaining rigorous control over the expenses associated with your cloud infrastructure.
By carefully carrying out this comprehensive and detailed assessment of your needs, you can ensure that you choose a cloud solution that truly meets your expectations, delivers long-term performance, and is perfectly aligned with your company’s specific characteristics and ambitions.
How can Qim info help you choose and install your Swiss cloud?
Qim info provides comprehensive, personalised support in the process of choosing and installing your Swiss cloud. Thanks to its comprehensive and detailed assessment of your needs, Qim info ensures that you choose a cloud solution which meets your needs perfectly and will perform well in the long term.
The company offerstailor-made cloud consulting services, in line with your needs and business environment. Qim info’s experts help you think, build and optimise your cloud infrastructure, enabling you to transform the way you work and reduce your time-to-market, while guaranteeing the efficiency of your IT system.
In collaboration with local partners such as Hidora, Qim info offers sovereign cloud solutions, including Kubernetes and DB as a Service services, with a Green IT approach and datacentres located in Switzerland. This collaboration guarantees data sovereignty and compliance with localEn S requirements.
In short, Qim info guides you through every stage of your cloud project, from design to optimisation, installation and ongoing support, to ensure you enjoy a smooth and successful transition to the Swiss cloud.
