AI is the key to innovation and digital self-determination.

Digitalization is developing very dynamically, especially since the pandemic, which has accelerated home office and flexible working models. Many companies have massively pushed ahead with their digital initiatives, but the pace varies greatly. Large organizations can implement projects in a structured manner, while smaller companies often still have to catch up in terms of the technical implementation and integration of digital tools. Overall, we are moving in the right direction, but not all companies are progressing at the same speed. At the same time, we at Bechtle are noticing that, in addition to speed and innovative strength, questions about data location, legal control, and digital self-determination are increasingly coming into focus, especially in connection with sovereign cloud models within Switzerland.

Coordination generally works well, especially when clear processes and responsibilities are defined. However, the multitude of regulations and standards continues to pose a challenge. Some departments work in isolation, resulting in a lack of holistic overview. At Bechtle, we support our customers in this area with clearly structured governance and cloud frameworks. We see a Swiss sovereign cloud not only as infrastructure, but as a holistic operating model with a defined data infrastructure in Switzerland, controlled access models, transparent operating processes, and clear regulatory integration.

The risk of falling victim to highly professional cybercriminals has increased significantly in recent years. Major cyberattacks on companies are no longer random, but are planned in advance, with attackers exploiting vulnerabilities. Security is therefore not an option, but an integral part of any digital strategy and should be integrated into systems and processes from the outset. At Bechtle, we provide companies with comprehensive support in the area of cybersecurity: from analysis and implementation of appropriate protective measures to incident response. Our experts combine legal, organizational, and technical aspects into an integrated security concept.

AI is essential for managing the growing complexity of modern IT infrastructures. Multicloud environments and modern data centers generate enormous amounts of data that would be almost impossible to manage efficiently without AI. In Switzerland, around 46% of companies already rely on AI technologies, and more than 75% operate multicloud environments. AI also supports important tasks in sovereign cloud architectures, such as the automated enforcement of compliance requirements, anomaly detection in security-critical environments, and the intelligent control of hybrid multicloud models.

Companies should use AI wherever it creates measurable added value, for example by automating repetitive tasks, making processes more efficient, or improving data-based decisions. In many industries, AI already supports fraud prevention in finance, personalized offers in retail, supply chain optimization, predictive maintenance in manufacturing, and diagnostic support in healthcare. It also opens up new opportunities for innovative business models and more sustainable processes. AI is not an end in itself and is not a substitute for human expertise, but rather a tool that expands capabilities.

AI can partially alleviate bottlenecks, especially in standardized processes. It thus complements skilled workers, but genuine expertise remains indispensable. Bechtle considers AI to be a key technology of the future, enabling companies not only to automate processes, but also to relieve employees of routine tasks and empower them to perform more value-adding tasks. It is crucial that employees are trained to use the technology effectively. In this way, AI increases productivity without losing valuable know-how. We also support companies in this regard with practical training courses and workshops.

Digital sovereignty is crucial, especially when it comes to sensitive data or critical infrastructure, and plays a particularly important role in the digitalization of public administration. Companies and public institutions should retain control over their data, processes, and systems. Hybrid solutions, open standards, and secure cloud infrastructures are just as important as developing in-house data management skills. We strengthen our customers' digital sovereignty by analyzing their assets, processes, and motivation, calculating a sovereignty value, and identifying weaknesses in order to derive specific areas for action. To this end, we are launching a unique, software-based assessment tool—the Bechtle Index of Sovereignty, or BIoS for short. To support public institutions, we have also introduced the Switzerland-wide Public Cluster. This brings together the expertise of all three Swiss Bechtle companies, giving customers in all regions access to an integrated network of specialists. The aim of the cluster is to standardize processes, facilitate cooperation between service units, and provide centralized support to public sector customers in the implementation of digital projects.

IT architectures are becoming modular, flexible, and cloud-based. Monolithic systems are increasingly giving way to service-oriented structures that are scalable, maintainable, and better adapted to dynamic requirements. The future lies in greater convergence of cloud, on-premises, and multicloud environments, as well as AI-driven processes. In this context, Bechtle is positioning itself as a strategic partner with a Swiss sovereign cloud. We combine modern cloud technologies with trustworthy data infrastructure, operation, and governance within Switzerland, thus creating a stable, secure, and legally independent basis for companies and public authorities.