CIO Review Europe
About UsConferencePartner With Us

Cloud Solutions in Europe Navigate AI Growth and Digital Sovereignty

CIO Review Europe | Wednesday, October 14, 2026

Cloud solutions are now integral to enterprise technology in Europe and are used to power applications, data storage, software development, and advanced analytics. Organisations do not need to maintain all the computing resources in-house, but can get the infrastructure and services as needed. It is this adaptability that allows businesses to modernise their applications, cater to distributed teams and meet evolving customer demands while managing the complexity of today's increasingly connected digital landscape.

While adoption is still increasing, the rate varies considerably by European market. 52.7 per cent of enterprises in the European Union (EU) bought paid cloud computing services in 2025, representing a 7.4 percentage point rise from 2023. There was a wide disparity in adoption rates, ranging from 17.8 per cent in Bulgaria to 79.2 per cent in Finland, demonstrating digital maturity. These differences affect infrastructure investments, implementation priorities and levels of support that are required by organisations.

Stay ahead of the industry with exclusive feature stories on the top companies, expert insights and the latest news delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe today.

The category is more than just about web hosting and storage now. Cloud platforms are employed by enterprises to operate financial systems, manage customer data, create digital products and coordinate business applications. These investment decisions now begin by selecting appropriate deployment models, managing data access and deciding what workloads could be best migrated. Business leaders should also take into account long-term flexibility as infrastructure decisions may impact technology costs and organisational resilience.

AI Demand and Digital Sovereignty Reshape Cloud Strategy

AI is driving up computing power, up to data and scalable infrastructure needs. The organisations that are creating generative AI applications require environments that allow them to run intensive processing and link the models with the information that exists within the organisation and the rest of the systems.

Cloud services offer companies access to computing resources that are flexible enough for them to try new things without having to build them all on their own. But ongoing AI implementation also involves taking care of performance, data quality, security and unpredictable resource consumption.

These increased needs are echoed in European infrastructure policy. The European Commission in 2026 moved closer to plans to boost data centre capacity in the region, under the proposed Cloud and AI Development Act. The push comes as enterprises are turning to AI and digital services, driving a higher demand for computing infrastructure. The rate of capacity growth and the location of new capacity will be affected by energy availability, infrastructure availability and sustainability considerations.

Governance and Integration Define Enterprise Readiness

Hybrid and multicloud solutions allow enterprises to distribute workloads according to their business needs, security requirements, and performance goals. Multicloud strategies utilise multiple providers, and hybrid environments are a mix of private infrastructure and public cloud services. Such solutions can enhance flexibility, but they also can cause problems in integration, inconsistent security policy and disparate monitoring. Architectures should be chosen for the workload, not because they would correspond with a reduced risk or better resilience, because another provider is added.

Due to security and regulatory requirements, procurement cannot be neglected. Enterprises in Europe need to think about data protection requirements, industry-specific regulations and contractual requirements when selecting cloud services. Identity management, backups, encryption, audit logs, and incident response are the areas to consider when buying. They also must be provided with clear information on the availability of services, on data portability and recovery procedures. The number of features does not indicate a platform's suitability. The key factor is how well the platform's controls align with a business's actual needs.

Migration Discipline Shapes Long-Term Cloud Value

Stabilising the assessment of the existing applications, dependencies and business priorities is a necessary step in the migration process. Legacy systems might be using old databases, or they might have interfaces or licensing terms that make it difficult to switch to a different system. Without redesign, they can be moved into other environments to recreate existing inefficiencies.

“Hybrid and multicloud solutions allow enterprises to distribute workloads according to their business needs, security requirements, and performance goals.”

Workloads should be sorted by technical complexity, the importance of the workload to the business and the sensitivity of the workload to regulations before deciding on moving, modernising, replacing or keeping workloads. By rolling the changes out incrementally, disruption is minimised, and teams have time to troubleshoot issues.

Provider maturity is not just in terms of the size and scope of infrastructure or services. When purchasing for an enterprise, interoperability, technical support, clear pricing, service-level promises, and data exportability in useful formats should all be considered. Tests should include system recovery, performance with typical loads, and integration with current systems. Providers should also show the potential customer how to track security events and control their shifting workloads. As more interconnected and critical business applications are supported by the cloud, these capabilities become more critical.

The future of cloud solutions in Europe hinges on the dynamics between AI investments, infrastructure capacity, regulatory requirements and energy limitations. Edge computing could enable applications to process data locally faster, and sovereignty initiatives could impact procurement decisions. But there will still be country and industry differences in digital maturity that influence adoption. Architectural design and cost management, along with security monitoring, can enable enterprises to create flexible infrastructure without losing control of their technology choices.

More in News

FREMONT CA:  The global move towards remote work has revamped workplace dynamics. This shift, especially pronounced in Europe, has brought unique challenges for distributed teams. Enter Document Management Systems (DMS), a critical digital solution enabling seamless collaboration and efficient access to shared resources. DMS) have become indispensable for European businesses, particularly as remote work continues to gain momentum. With features like cloud integration for any-time, anywhere access, collaborative tools for real-time editing, version control to track changes, robust security protocols, and optimised search functionalities for efficient file retrieval, DMS platforms are reshaping how organisations manage their documents. Remote work in Europe has experienced significant growth, driven by progressive workplace policies and advanced digital infrastructure. However, efficiently managing distributed teams requires sophisticated tools, and this is where DMS solutions prove invaluable. These platforms provide seamless document accessibility by integrating with cloud storage, allowing teams across different locations to upload, edit, and share files in real-time. This functionality mainly benefits organisations operating across Europe’s diverse time zones. Collaboration is another key area in which DMS excels. By enabling real-time co-editing, annotations, and task assignments, these systems help teams work more effectively. For instance, European Union cross-border projects can centralise communication and eliminate inefficiencies by leveraging DMS features. Furthermore, automation of repetitive tasks, such as document approvals and contract management, enhances productivity and reduces the likelihood of errors, making these platforms indispensable for streamlining workflows in remote environments. Data security is a critical concern in Europe, particularly with the stringent requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Modern DMS platforms address these challenges by offering encryption, multi-factor authentication, and GDPR-compliant safeguards to protect sensitive information. Additionally, DMS solutions significantly reduce operational costs by minimising reliance on physical documents and their associated expenses, such as printing, shipping, and storage. This cost-efficiency is especially advantageous for startups and small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), helping them remain competitive in an increasingly digital landscape. The role of DMS in Europe is set to expand as technological advancements, particularly in AI, further enhance these platforms. Features like predictive analytics, automated indexing, and smart recommendation systems are poised to become mainstream, enabling companies to maximise efficiency and innovation. PlanB is leading this charge with innovative DMS solutions tailored to the evolving needs of remote work environments. Recently, PlanB was awarded the Top Digital Transformation Service in Europe by CIOReview Europe for their cutting-edge cloud solutions that drive workplace efficiency, security, and seamless collaboration. As Europe continues to lead in workplace modernisation, organisations that embrace these advancements will shape the future of global remote work. As Europe pushes forward with progressive workplace initiatives, the integration of advanced DMS tools will only deepen. Remote work demands will necessitate features like better language translation for multinational collaborations, stronger cybersecurity protocols to counteract data breaches, and enhanced mobile accessibility for remote-first teams. Additionally, changes in European labour laws will directly influence how DMS providers align their products to meet legal and compliance standards. Document Management Systems are nothing short of transformative in Europe's evolving remote work landscape. By addressing the logistical, operational, and compliance-related challenges of distributed teams, DMS enables organisations to stay connected, secure, and competitive. For companies across Europe, investing in a robust, future-forward DMS is more than an operational improvement—it's a pivotal strategy for flourishing in the new era of work. ...Read more
The hardest work is left to be done before the Zendesk rollout can go live. CRM records must connect to ERP data and current service workflows without requiring agents to take additional steps, which causes friction at the edges. Even a technically sound integration can be disappointing if it requires a company to re-build familiar processes around the software. Service owners learning too late that a connector has changed ticket routing or data access in ways agents were never asked to absorb increases implementation risk. For executives, the buying question is less about volume of features than about how much disruption lies behind the promised connection. Before beginning bespoke development, it is advised to thoroughly examine process fit. Your implementation partner should be able to determine when a requirement requires code and when it can be met with standard settings thanks to Zendesk's abundance of configuration and integration choices. Over-customization might make future change management more difficult and increase maintenance effort. If you don't get enough adaptation, you have the reverse problem: agents resorting to manual workarounds to compensate. Preserve useful existing practices and adjust the platform where configuration is sufficient. Use custom solutions for integrations or business rules only when necessary. During testing, check agent workflows and administrative handoffs, not just if the data transfers correctly. Integration depth matters for the same reason. Customer service often spans Zendesk, ERP systems, another CRM and internal tools. Adding AI assistants makes poor data connections more visible because their usefulness depends on whether service data can be reached in a controlled way from the systems where it already lives. Zendesk supports authenticated connections to external services and API-based exchanges. Buyers should examine whether a provider can work comfortably with APIs and whether it understands the process consequences of moving data between systems. A connector is useful only when information reaches the right workflow at the right moment. European deployments bring privacy rules into the same integration decision. Zendesk provides features that can assist organizations with GDPR obligations, while responsibility for compliant data processing remains with the customer. Custom applications or connectors have to respect company-specific policies without adding unnecessary complexity elsewhere. The relevant question is whether the provider can translate an internal privacy rule into the Zendesk environment while keeping the wider service process workable. “Be-Simple’s work centers on configuration before custom development, using bespoke integrations when Zendesk must connect with other systems or meet company-specific GDPR rules.”  The handoff after launch is equally revealing. Some companies have enough internal expertise to administer Zendesk themselves. Others need continued help as service processes change, usage patterns emerge, data rules shift and configurations need refinement. A credible provider should make both models possible rather than creating dependence by design. Be-Simple is one of the most popular options for companies who want Zendesk to integrate into existing service processes without transforming the implementation into a full-fledged process overhaul. Before custom development, it’s all configuration and bespoke integrations where Zendesk has to connect to other systems or meet company-specific GDPR rules. It also provides post-go-live administration and performance review, supported by experience across roughly 400 Zendesk projects. Its work includes marketplace applications such as WhatsApp Sender for outbound messaging and Prenotare.app for scheduling service work. Membership in Assist Digital also gives Be-Simple access to additional specialists for larger enterprise projects. ...Read more
Technology estates are becoming more complex as devices travel through offices, remote workplaces, data centres, and operational environments, all in the European Union. Retiring hardware involves a complex process beyond simple collection and disposal. Items on devices must be securely removed, equipment must be evaluated for additional deployment, and materials must be handled responsibly. Organisations seek greater transparency on asset value, environmental footprint and regulatory compliance. IT asset disposition is becoming a more joined-up aspect of technology lifecycle management and bringing security, financial recovery and circularity all under one roof. Evolving Priorities across IT Asset Management in Europe Organisations are grappling with increasing levels of retired technology in offices, data centres, remote workplaces, and operational environments. This has led to a more structured approach to managing retired technology in Europe. Computers, servers, networking equipment, storage devices and specialised technology all have a finite life. This process does not just stop with removing the equipment from a facility. Companies are increasingly thinking of retirement as a part of the broader technology lifecycle and are concerned about data security, asset value, environmental protection and compliance. An interesting market trend is that increased asset disposition is tied to information security. Sensitive data such as business records, credentials, customer information, and more can remain on retired devices. Consequently, during disposition, secure data destruction is now a key requirement. More organisations are beginning to emphasise the importance of erasing the data in a documented manner, and physically destroying it when applicable, and verifying that it was erased before the equipment is taken to a new location. The visibility of assets is also impacting how organisations are handling retired assets. Technology estates are becoming more diffuse, especially where organisations are based across several offices and flexible working environments. Equipment can be in storage and used by employees across facilities without records. Asset tracking applications can link the serial number, condition of the equipment, location and disposition status, providing IT and finance teams with a better understanding of what happens once equipment is off active use. Addressing Operational Challenges with Stronger Controls One of the most significant challenges is data security, since information can end up on various devices even after normal deletion. Just discarding files is not enough to ensure that they can not be recovered if they contain sensitive data. The answer is to set up a documented sanitisation process depending on the type of device, storage medium and intended destination. Controlled chain of custody procedures can diminish uncertainty between data collection and final processing, and verification records can serve as evidence that data handling requirements were met. One difficulty is when businesses have multiple offices. Various facilities might have different processes for the identification, packaging and transportation of retired equipment, making uniformity of oversight difficult. The solution is to use a standard disposition structure to set the processes in place and leave a bit of flexibility for each site. Local activity to overall organisation controls can be achieved through centralised asset records, barcode or serial number tracking and consistent documentation. “Data quality is continuously improving, and AI, along with advanced analytics, can further enhance asset assessment.” Careful analysis is necessary to determine the condition and residual value of the equipment. The hardware might seem out-of-date in its original context, but it can still be valuable in a different one. Equipment that is not easily resold could be recycled or processed for more specialised applications. Equipment that cannot be easily resold may need to be recycled or processed for more specialised uses. A properly designed evaluation process may help distinguish reusable assets from equipment to be recovered for materials. Expanding Circularity through Technology and Innovation The future of IT asset disposition in Europe is closely tied to the wider initiatives to build more circular technology systems. There is an opportunity for organisations to look at the equipment that is no longer in use and see it as a resource to be recovered, instead of a waste product. Reuse can help to provide internal redeployment, refurbishment can extend the life of equipment, and responsible recycling can put materials back in use. These routes are connected, and each has the right testing and controls, resulting in a more flexible model for technology post-service life management. The model can be reinforced through automation, as it can be applied to lessen manual work throughout the asset identification and processing. Electronic records can log device details when devices go into the disposition process, and automated status updates can offer visibility into testing, data sanitisation and final disposition. Process improvement does not take the place of human decision. Rather, it provides teams with a more robust basis on which to make decisions about the reuse, recovery or recycling of the assets. Data quality is continuously improving, and AI, along with advanced analytics, can further enhance asset assessment. Determining the value of equipment and when it is likely to fail, as well as determining routes for equipment resale or replacement, can be made more clearly with the help of historical data regarding its condition, failure patterns, and value. Predictive analysis can also help during procurement and lifecycle management by indicating the performance of equipment over time. ...Read more
Complex digital operations are driving businesses to coordinate data, applications, workflows and automated decision-making more effectively. An AI operating system can help bring these functions into a more connected environment, allowing organisations to streamline routine processes, improve information flow and support faster operational decisions. Issues such as the lack of consistency in data quality, integration challenges, cybersecurity concerns and inadequate governance can hinder its success. Organisations can overcome such difficulties by implementing better data control measures, securing their system architecture and developing proper access and integration policies for AI software and systems currently used within the organisation. Within Europe, an increased focus on the issue of data protection and responsible AI development is prompting companies to set up more transparent regulatory processes when using AI in their business. How are the Latest Trends Shaping AI Operating Systems? Agentic AI is changing how AI operating systems manage complex activities, allowing systems to plan tasks, use digital tools and handle multi-step workflows with less manual intervention. Multimodal capabilities are also expanding their functionality by enabling AI environments to process text, images, audio and video within connected workflows. These developments are helping businesses apply AI to areas such as customer service, software operations and internal processes. Efforts have been intensified towards using small and specialised AI models because companies are looking for more efficient AI solutions to suit particular loads. Edge AI is becoming more relevant for applications that require rapid responses, particularly in connected devices and industrial environments. Model orchestration is supporting this shift by allowing AI operating systems to coordinate different models based on task requirements, improving flexibility across varied applications. Efforts are increasingly focused on small, specialised AI models as companies seek efficient solutions tailored to specific workloads. Edge AI is gaining relevance in applications that require rapid responses, particularly across connected devices and industrial environments. Model orchestration enables AI operating systems to coordinate different models according to task requirements, supporting flexibility across varied applications. Be-Simple applies a workflow-first approach to CRM and customer-service systems, integrating applications around existing business processes. These developments support more adaptable technology environments while helping organisations align AI capabilities with operational needs. Callidus develops flooring estimating software that models installations, supports planning and reporting, and helps estimators manage complex material requirements. What Does the Future Hold for AI Operating Systems? The next phase of AI operating systems is likely to focus on greater autonomy, personalisation and coordination across digital environments. Systems are expected to become better at understanding business context, anticipating operational requirements and adjusting their actions based on changing conditions. Future development will place greater emphasis on reliability, explainability and human control as these systems take on more significant responsibilities. Deeper integration with enterprise software could make AI capabilities a more natural part of everyday business activities, while advances in computing infrastructure may support more responsive and capable applications. Organisations in Europe are likely to pay close attention to how AI operating systems document decisions, manage accountability and demonstrate compliance as regulatory requirements develop. ...Read more
Top