Nowadays, everything can be offered as a service. But does this make sense for all offers / product categories?
As-a-service models offer advantages, particularly through scalability, flexibility and access to the latest technologies without high upfront investments. For highly standardised products and services, such as Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), this model is ideal as it enables easy integration and continuous updates. However, there are areas where the XaaS model makes less sense. For example, specialised or customised solutions often require intensive adaptation to specific customer requirements that are difficult to map in a standardised service. In such cases, a traditional deployment or a hybrid solution that allows for individual customisation may be the right way to go. The decision as to whether XaaS makes sense ultimately depends on flexibility, costs and specific requirements.
Are on-premise applications a discontinued model?
The market is also continuing to develop in the direction of cloud computing. Nevertheless, I don't see on-premise solutions as a completely outdated model. There are specific use cases where a local installation still makes sense. This applies in particular to applications where low latency is required, such as in production or control. On-premise can also be more economical for large volumes of data that need to be processed continuously. In addition, on-premise solutions in security-sensitive environments offer the control and data protection that some companies need. Even with AI and IoT solutions, processing at the edge can be more sensible and cost-efficient for the reasons mentioned above, among others. Therefore, on-premise applications or hybrid approaches that combine the best of both worlds will continue to exist in the future.
How has the market for managed services in Switzerland changed over the past year?
We feel that the market for managed services in Switzerland has evolved over the past year. Companies are increasingly recognising that managed services are not only a cost-effective solution, but also offer access to specialised experts and the latest technologies without having to build up their own resources. Particularly notable is the rise in demand for cloud and security services as companies look to modernise their IT landscapes while protecting against increasing threats. At Bechtle, we recognised this trend early on and expanded our portfolio accordingly in order to meet the increasing requirements of our customers.
What do you need to pay attention to if you want to offer managed services successfully?
Success in the Managed Services sector depends on several critical factors. First and foremost is user-friendliness: our customers expect simple and intuitive solutions. Fast response times for incidents and enquiries are also essential to ensure business continuity. High stability and performance of the services offered are essential. In addition, it is important to work closely with our customers to understand their ever-changing needs and proactively develop solutions. This customer focus and our drive for continuous improvement are the key factors that position us as a leading provider in the managed services market.
The completely revised Data Protection Act has been in force since 1 September 2023. How has this affected the Managed Services business?
The entry into force of the completely revised Data Protection Act has had an impact on the Managed Services business. Customers now attach even greater importance to data protection and data security, which has led to increased demand for solutions that fulfil the highest compliance standards. Our experts are involved in numerous consulting mandates.
We at Bechtle have also adapted our processes and technologies in good time in order to offer our customers the necessary security and transparency. This includes not only implementing advanced security measures, but also training our employees and working closely with our customers to understand and implement their specific data protection requirements.
This interview was conducted in cooperation with Netzmedien.
