Why Cloud?
Open source software and digital sovereignty are often associated with self-hosting. That makes sense, because self-hosting offers maximum control and independence from a vendor. It does not make a cloud offering the wrong model, though.
Most small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) care about control over their data. The real question is how much operational work they can take on in everyday business. Running software yourself means taking care of hosting, updates, backups, security, and availability. That is possible in principle, but not always the most practical choice.
Easy start
With a cloud offering, companies start right away, without setting up servers or configuring infrastructure. The software can be used from anywhere with an internet connection.
This is especially valuable for SMEs, because many have no IT team of their own, and the specialists they do have rarely have time to run additional systems. They need software that works reliably and is easy to adopt, without getting stuck on operational details first.
Convenience without losing control
A hosted offering is often seen as the opposite of digital sovereignty. That is only true when the hosting model locks companies in.
In an open source context, the cloud can be an entry point rather than a trap. It reduces operational work without taking away later options. What matters is not where the software runs, but whether a company stays in control.
Access to your data at any time
That control starts with data access. Companies should be able to get their data at any time, without artificial barriers, proprietary formats, or processes that make leaving difficult. With Erdikon, organization owners can download a complete backup at any time.
Companies get software that is easy to use and still know that their data belongs to them. Trust then rests not only on promises, but on real options.
Switching to self-hosting later
What does not fit at the start can make sense later. Internal expertise grows, compliance requirements increase, or a company wants more control over its infrastructure and more room for customization.
Because switching from the cloud to self-hosting is possible at any time, companies do not have to decide everything upfront. They start with the simplest model and take on more operational responsibility when the need actually arises.
Conclusion
A cloud offering does not replace digital sovereignty. It makes it practical for SMEs. Instead of choosing between ease of use and independence, companies get both. The cloud is the easy way in, and self-hosting remains the possible next step.