As businesses across the Netherlands continue to embrace digital transformation, one message from recent Oracle CloudWorld 2024 stands out: the era of open multi-cloud is here, and it’s changing the game for everyone. Oracle’s vision, as outlined by Larry Ellison, highlights a future where businesses are no longer confined to a single cloud provider but can thrive in an interconnected, open cloud ecosystem.
By Peter-Paul Feijen, vice-president of cloud, Oracle Benelux
For Dutch companies, this couldn’t come at a better time. The tech landscape is evolving rapidly, and organizations are increasingly adopting cloud-first strategies to remain competitive. However, many have faced the dilemma of being locked into one provider or struggling with the complexity of managing multiple clouds. The open multi-cloud approach offers a solution—allowing businesses to operate seamlessly across different cloud environments, combining the best features of each without the headache of vendor lock-in.
Flexibility as the key to innovation
Ellison’s vision emphasizes flexibility as the cornerstone of this new era. Dutch businesses, renowned for their innovation and adaptability, can now fully leverage different cloud platforms—whether it’s Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), AWS, Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud—to suit their unique needs. This means no more compromises. Whether your organization needs high-performance computing from Oracle or AI-driven services from another provider, the open multi-cloud approach enables businesses to mix and match services without sacrificing speed, security, or cost efficiency.
The real power of multi-cloud lies in its ability to empower innovation. With access to a broader range of services and tools, Dutch enterprises can accelerate product development, enhance customer experiences, and optimize operations. The freedom to choose the right tool for the right task allows IT teams to focus on creating value rather than managing the complexities of different cloud environments.
Data sovereignty and security
Data sovereignty and security remain key challenges for businesses in the Netherlands, particularly in light of GDPR requirements. The increasing adoption of multi-cloud strategies by Dutch organizations reflects their need to balance data compliance with the flexibility of using multiple cloud providers. According to a study commissioned by Oracle, 98% of enterprises globally are now using or planning to use at least two cloud infrastructure providers. This highlights the growing adoption of multi-cloud strategies to ensure compliance and optimize cloud usage.
An open multi-cloud approach helps businesses keep their data within specific geographical boundaries while leveraging services from different providers. This flexibility allows organizations to meet regulatory requirements while optimizing their IT operations. Security and compliance are particularly critical for sectors like healthcare and financial services, where regulations are stringent, and breaches can have severe consequences. A well-designed cloud architecture with robust security measures, such as encryption and built-in compliance controls, enables Dutch businesses to confidently manage data across cloud environments without compromising on sovereignty or security.
Collaboration, not competition
Another groundbreaking aspect of the open multi-cloud era is the shift in how cloud providers interact. Instead of competing in isolation, they are now collaborating to ensure interoperability. This new approach means that businesses can work with multiple cloud vendors without worrying about compatibility issues. At Oracle, we’ve embraced this change wholeheartedly, ensuring our technology integrates seamlessly with other major cloud platforms.
This collaboration fosters a more inclusive cloud environment where businesses can innovate without the fear of being trapped in a silo. For Dutch companies, this presents an opportunity to leverage their existing investments while adopting new technologies at a pace that suits them.
A bright future for Dutch enterprises
The open multi-cloud era is a pivotal moment for businesses in the Netherlands. It offers the freedom, flexibility, and security needed to drive digital transformation while allowing companies to remain agile and competitive in a fast-moving market.
At Oracle, we are excited to lead the charge in this new era, providing our customers with the best-in-class cloud infrastructure and services, while also enabling seamless integration with other cloud platforms. As Larry Ellison stated, “This is just the beginning of a new, more open cloud journey.” And for Dutch businesses, that journey promises innovation, growth, and success in ways never before imagined.
Tomorrow is Today is more than just a theme at this year’s CIODAY—it’s a call to action for leaders navigating the digital evolution of large organizations and governments. With open multicloud, the future is no longer a distant horizon, but something we can achieve now. The future is open, and the future is multicloud. Let’s embrace it together.