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Summary – Dependence on proprietary solutions curbs agility, compliance and digital sovereignty for Swiss companies subject to NLPD, GDPR and NIS2. Migrating to a modular open source architecture (open APIs, audited components, open formats) with hybrid internal/external support secures traceability, interoperability and skill growth while reducing recurring costs. Solution: audit and phased segmentation of the IT system, clear access governance and adoption of open source tools to drive continuity, compliance and innovation.
Dependence on proprietary solutions can pose a major obstacle to the agility and compliance of Swiss organizations, where digital sovereignty requirements are demanding. Adopting open source isn’t simply about swapping out software: it involves rethinking IT architecture, clarifying governance, and implementing a hybrid support model. This modular approach—built on audited, interoperable components—simplifies data control, regulatory compliance (NLPD, GDPR, NIS2), and continuous innovation.
Modular and interoperable architectures for increased flexibility
Reassembling your system into independent building blocks enhances its ability to evolve without disruption. An open architecture makes it easy to integrate new services and reduces the risk of vendor lock-in.
Progressive decomposition of the existing stack
The first step is to map the current architecture, identifying critical zones and bottlenecks. A clear view of dependencies between proprietary applications and existing modules enables pragmatic migration planning, defining phased decomposition milestones.
Each segment of the ecosystem can then be isolated, transformed into an independent service, and replaced or reconfigured with an open source solution—without disrupting the whole. This iterative approach minimizes shock and ensures operational continuity.
It’s essential to analyze interfaces between modules to anticipate adapter or connector needs. By opting for open APIs, organizations ensure each new component fits seamlessly into business workflows.
Finally, precise documentation of data flows and application interactions secures the transition, maintains traceability, and facilitates testing at every deployment phase.
Implementing auditable, interoperable components
Modular blocks must rely on proven technologies supported by active communities. Choosing a Linux kernel, paired with directory solutions like Keycloak or Kubernetes orchestrators, ensures longevity and scalability.
Source code traceability and transparent updates are assets for security and compliance. Documented rollbacks, accessible at any time, support rigorous tracking of patches and enhancements.
By favoring open data formats (JSON, YAML, OpenAPI), exchanges between services become vendor-agnostic. This interoperability prevents silos and simplifies the integration of new business or analytics tools.
Quality tools—such as open source vulnerability scanners and dedicated monitoring solutions—play a central role in continuous control of deployed components, providing real-time insights into performance and risks.
Example: an industrial player reconfigures its infrastructure
A manufacturing company began migrating its ERP to a system composed of containerized Linux services. It first isolated the inventory management module and migrated it to Kubernetes, while keeping other applications in production.
This phased approach enabled the identification of critical dependencies and validated the new containers’ functionality without interrupting operations. Using open formats for customer data exchange ensured compatibility with the existing setup.
Ultimately, the transition demonstrated that modular decomposition significantly reduces downtime and paves the way for rapid integration of new planning or analytics tools—without proprietary license costs.
The example highlights the effectiveness of phase-based decomposition, where each block can evolve independently while respecting business and regulatory constraints.
Governance and compliance: steering the transition securely
A clear policy for rights and format management ensures control over access and data. Embedding compliance from the design phase strengthens the sustainability and trustworthiness of the IT ecosystem.
Role and permission management policies
Defining centralized identity governance allows control over access rights to various open source modules. OAuth2- or OpenID Connect-compatible directories based on Keycloak offer fine-grained authorization.
Role assignment should rely on a responsibility matrix, linking each profile to precise tasks that reflect real needs. This avoids excessive privileges and unnecessary exposure of sensitive resources.
Regular monitoring of access logs and permission changes is a cornerstone of operational security. Automating permission reviews and setting up alerts for anomalous behavior is imperative.
Standardizing formats and GDPR compliance
Adopting open storage and exchange formats is essential for data portability and processing traceability. JSON, CSV, or XML files, paired with well-defined schemas, reduce the risk of incompatibility.
Implementing community-validated open source encryption modules protects data in transit and at rest. Audited libraries are preferable to proprietary solutions, which often lack transparency in key management.
To comply with NIS2 or GDPR, document every data flow, record consents, and establish secure deletion mechanisms. Such rigor in data management bolsters client and regulator confidence.
BI dashboards based on open source solutions enable real-time compliance monitoring and swift responses to access or rectification requests.
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Hybrid support and skills development: a foundation of resilience
Combining internal resources with external partners ensures optimal system maintenance. Ongoing training builds lasting expertise within IT teams.
Coordinating internal and external support
A hybrid support model blends the responsiveness of an internal team—familiar with business processes—with the deep expertise of specialized partners. This duality distributes responsibilities without overburdening staff.
Service level agreements (SLAs) with partners define intervention times, incident priorities, and joint skill-up plans. Clear commitments are essential to avoid ambiguous areas.
For critical issues, rapid escalation to external support enriches internal know-how. Lessons learned are documented and integrated into a shared knowledge base.
This collaborative approach optimizes service availability and minimizes downtime, while maintaining an upward learning curve for internal teams.
Continuous training and knowledge transfer
Organizing themed workshops and pair-programming sessions fosters open source tool adoption. Regular training prevents skill stagnation and stimulates innovation.
Access to quality resources—such as official documentation and internally produced tutorials—promotes autonomy. Open source communities also provide support through forums and conferences.
Bootcamps on key technologies (Linux, Kubernetes, CI/CD) accelerate skill building and mastery of DevOps practices. Real-project feedback solidifies learning.
Individual follow-up—via internal or external certifications—validates expertise levels and encourages continuous improvement, essential in a constantly evolving environment.
Open source: a driver of innovation and competitiveness
Open code fosters rapid experimentation and collaboration with external communities. The open source model provides a sustainable competitive advantage by controlling costs and dependencies.
Encouraging experimentation and agility
Direct access to source code enables rapid prototyping of new features without waiting for proprietary vendors’ development cycles. Developers can fork, test, and deploy updates within hours.
CI/CD environments automate innovation deployment. User feedback guides adjustments, while open source communities contribute enhancements to projects.
This agile approach sparks team creativity and reduces time-to-market. Failed experiments remain isolated and financially contained, thanks to minimal license costs.
Over successive releases, open source projects mature through contributions from diverse organizations, strengthening robustness and expanding supported use cases.
Cost reduction and sustainable control
The absence of expensive licenses significantly lowers recurring expenses. Budgets can be reallocated to performance optimization, security, and team training.
Full control over source code prevents extra costs from forced updates or paid modules. Cost transparency simplifies budget forecasting and IT investment justification.
By internalizing expertise, organizations reduce dependence on external providers. Acquired skills remain strategic assets, even when vendors change.
The fast-evolving open source ecosystem regularly delivers new features at no additional cost. This dynamic supports continuous innovation and preserves long-term competitiveness.
Example: a financial services provider creates new offerings
A banking institution developed a prototype instant payment platform based on open source microservices. The solution ran in parallel with the existing infrastructure, without large-scale commitment.
Internal user feedback allowed workflow adjustments over a few sprints before rolling it out across all branches. The project enhanced the IT leadership’s image as an innovation driver.
At the end of the pilot phase, the bank integrated the prototype into its service catalog, fully controlling costs and security. This case demonstrates the agility enabled by open source.
The example highlights how a free environment can stimulate differentiated offerings while ensuring data sovereignty and technology mastery.
Assert your digital sovereignty with open source
A structured open source migration relies on modular architecture decomposition, clear governance, and a hybrid support model. These pillars ensure your systems’ flexibility, compliance, and resilience.
By leveraging open source, you reduce recurring costs, gain full control over your technologies, and open the door to continuous innovation—reinforced by community contributions.
Whether your organization aims to boost agility, secure data, or develop new services, our experts are here to turn these challenges into strategic levers.
