Digital sovereignty: Plan B for software
In this article, we provide an overview of the elements that should be included in a software plan B. We describe a framework for financial calculation, and we review the strategic alternatives that exist within the main software categories.
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For many organizations, it would be beneficial to have a digital plan B that can be executed if internal or external circumstances make it necessary – or more favorable – to change the company’s digital course. This is especially true in relation to software.
Developments in the software market in recent years have made it clear to many that there can be clear disadvantages to being dependent on software from a single or few suppliers. This applies to both financial, strategic and security aspects.
Many companies are currently considering possible alternatives to the products of the dominant American software giants. This is due to uncertainty about the EU and the US’s trade and security policy cooperation. But also large price increases from the same suppliers are increasingly causing companies to look more closely at alternatives.
In this article, we describe a framework that breaks down the components that should be included in a financial calculation of a Plan B for software. We also review the strategic alternatives that exist within the most important software categories. As an accessory to the article, we also have an Excel template for the financial calculation, as well as a PowerPoint template for presenting different Plan B scenarios.
