Microsoft 365 Local: getting a grip on your data, but at what cost?

Why do organizations choose local?

🔹 Data sovereignty: you know where your data is, and who can access it. 🔹 No data disappearing outside Europe or beyond your control. 🔹 Compliance with strict regulations such as NEN 7510, NIS2 and AVG.

For healthcare facilities, municipalities and businesses with strict data requirements, this can give peace of mind.

But … there are also disadvantages to working locally:

❌ No Teams, Copilot or modern AI features.
❌ Cost and migration can be significant.
❌ Complex management and additional technical knowledge required (Azure Stack HCI, Azure Arc).

We polled our LinkedIn followers about what they see as the biggest stumbling block with Microsoft 365 Local¹:

• 19%: Cost & hardware
• 14%: No AI / modern tools
• 38%: Complex management/knowledge
• 29%: No problem, just right!

The most frequently mentioned stumbling block? Complex management and knowledge required.

What can you do with this as an SME?

Many SMBs want control and security, but not the hassle of extra management, hardware and updates. Especially since IT management often has to be done alongside their regular work, with a limited team.

How can it be smarter?

At ALTA-ICT, we combine data sovereignty with convenience and security:

✅ Managed by a NEN 7510, ISO 27001 and ISO 9001 certified IT partner.
✅ Storage in certified data centers in the Netherlands.
✅ No IT staff access to medical or sensitive data.
✅ Working in a hybrid environment so you can use modern tools where you can, and stay local where you have to.

That way you maintain control, without your organization getting bogged down by management burden or lack of knowledge.

Recognizable?

Or would you like to spar about how Microsoft 365 Local or hybrid working fits your organization?

👉 Schedule a no-obligation consultation via alta-ict.co.uk/appointment-making

 

Reference

¹ https://www.linkedin.com/posts/altaict_microsoft365local-nen7510-nis2-activity-7342472966443573249-GSVo