Primion Cloud: Why the Move to Europe Is More Than Just a Change of Location

Where corporate and employee data is stored and processed has long ceased to be a purely technical question. The legal framework and control over their own data are also becoming increasingly important for companies. Primion has therefore migrated its cloud infrastructure to a European hosting environment.  

Alexander Friesen, Director Research & Development at Primion, explains why this step was necessary, what it means for Primion customers and why the move is only the beginning.

Alexander, many customers will probably not notice anything about the move at first. Why is it nevertheless so important? 

Alexander Friesen: Because something fundamental has changed behind the scenes. The data from our cloud solutions is now hosted and processed in a European hosting environment. To achieve this, we rely on OVHcloud, one of Europe’s largest cloud providers. Our customers retain all the features they are familiar with. At the same time, we are strengthening control over the data and aligning our infrastructure even more consistently with European requirements. 

Why did Primion take this step? 

Alexander Friesen: Data security alone is no longer enough today. Companies also want to know where their data is processed, which legal framework a cloud provider is subject to and which access rules apply. These questions are becoming increasingly important, particularly when sensitive corporate and employee data is involved. It was therefore clear to us that we wanted to anchor our cloud strategy even more firmly within the European legal framework. 

Is the location of the data centre therefore more important than the technology used? 

Alexander Friesen: Both go hand in hand. A cloud must be technically secure, powerful and available. At the same time, the legal framework plays a decisive role. The location where the data is stored does not, on its own, answer all the relevant questions. It is equally important to know which laws and regulations the provider is subject to. With a European hosting environment, we are creating greater clarity and transparency in this regard.

For us, innovation and data sovereignty are not mutually exclusive.
A good cloud strategy must bring the two together.

Alexander Friesen

What does this mean in practical terms for Primion customers? 

Alexander Friesen: Above all, greater data sovereignty. Our customers benefit from a modern and scalable cloud infrastructure with high security and availability standards. At the same time, the data from our cloud solutions remains within a European hosting environment. This helps companies meet their own data protection and compliance requirements. 

Migrating a cloud infrastructure sounds like a demanding project. What did customers notice? 

Alexander Friesen: Ideally, as little as possible, and that was precisely our goal. The migration took place behind the scenes without changing the functionality of our solutions. Our customers continue to use their services as usual. The difference lies in the underlying infrastructure, which is now aligned even more closely with European requirements. 

Was the move primarily a response to growing regulatory requirements? 

Alexander Friesen: Regulatory requirements are an important factor, but they are not the only one. It is also about trust and the ability to act in the long term. Europe has been working for years to strengthen its digital sovereignty. We do not simply want to observe this development; we want to actively reflect it in our own cloud strategy. For us, this is a deliberate, long-term decision. 

Does the move mean that Primion’s cloud strategy is now complete? 

Alexander Friesen: On the contrary. The move is an important milestone, but above all it lays the foundation for the next steps. We will continue to invest in modern cloud technologies, optimise our operational processes and expand our digital services. Security, data protection and scalability will remain our key guiding principles. 

What is the most important objective? 

Alexander Friesen: We want our customers to be able to use powerful, future-ready solutions without relinquishing control over their data. For us, innovation and data sovereignty are not mutually exclusive. A good cloud strategy must bring the two together. 

Thank you for these insights, Alexander.