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On-premises or cloud: where document processing should run

Own data center, sovereign cloud, public cloud or hybrid: what the options mean, what speaks for each and which questions help you decide

Document processing works with contracts, applications, patient records and payslips. Where this software runs is therefore not just an IT question. It decides who can access your data and which law applies.

Four options at a glance

Own data centerSovereign cloudPublic cloudHybrid
Where the data isOn your serversWith a European provider, under European lawWith a global provider, often outside the EUPartly on your servers, partly in the cloud
ControlCompleteHigh, contractually securedLimitedDepends on the split
OperationYour ITThe providerThe providerShared
Start-up effortHigherLowLowMedium
Typical forAuthorities, justice, healthcare, banksOrganizations with strict data protection and little own infrastructureUncritical data, quick testsSensitive and less sensitive processes side by side

On-premises: your own data center

The software runs on your own servers. Documents and data never leave your network.

On-premises gives you complete control. You do not depend on an external provider, and you can easily show auditors and data protection officers where your data is.

In return, you need your own hardware and a team that operates and updates the system. Scaling up takes time.

Cloud: public or sovereign

In the cloud, a provider operates the infrastructure. You use it without running servers yourself.

The cloud gets you started quickly, without your own hardware, and capacity grows with the volume.

With global providers, however, data is often processed outside the EU and may be subject to foreign law such as the US CLOUD Act. A sovereign cloud solves this: it is operated by European providers under European law, with contractually secured data protection.

Hybrid: the best of both

Hybrid means: sensitive documents are processed in your own data center, less sensitive ones in the cloud. Or the system runs on-premises and only uses the cloud for peaks. This way, each process gets the setup it needs.

Five questions for your decision

How sensitive are the documents?

Health data, personnel files and court records usually belong in your own data center or a sovereign cloud.

Which rules apply?

GDPR, industry regulations and internal guidelines can rule out certain options.

What does your IT have?

Own servers and staff make on-premises easier. Without them, a sovereign cloud is often the better choice.

How do volumes fluctuate?

Strong peaks speak for cloud or hybrid.

How quickly do you want to start?

Without your own hardware, a cloud setup is usually up and running faster.

How IDA and JAIDE run

IDA and the JAIDE AI colleagues run where you want them to: in your own data center, in a sovereign cloud with German partners or hybrid. Your data stays under European law. As a German company, we are not subject to the US CLOUD Act.

Our management systems are certified to ISO 27001 (information security) and ISO 9001 (quality). More on trust and sovereignty.

Frequently asked questions

What does on-premises mean?

The software runs on your organization’s own servers, in your own data center. Data never leaves your network.

What is a sovereign cloud?

A cloud operated by European providers under European law. Data stays in Europe and is not subject to foreign access such as under the US CLOUD Act.

Is on-premises always more secure?

Not automatically. It gives you the most control, but security also depends on operation and updates. A sovereign cloud with certified operation can be just as secure.

Let's talk about your setup

In a conversation, we work out together which setup suits your documents and your IT.