Macaristan'ın Dijital Egemenlik Arayışı: InvestGlass Neden Salesforce ve Microsoft'a Karşı İsviçre'nin Alternatifidir?
In an era where data has become the most valuable asset for nations and businesses alike, the concept of digital sovereignty has emerged as a critical priority for countries worldwide. For Hungary, a nation with a strong sense of identity and a forward-looking economic strategy, achieving digital sovereignty is not merely a policy goal but a cornerstone of its future prosperity and security. This comprehensive guide explores Hungary’s journey towards digital independence, the challenges posed by the dominance of US tech giants like Salesforce and Microsoft, and the compelling alternative offered by InvestGlass, a Swiss sovereign CRM platform that is transforming how European organisations approach customer relationship management.
Ne Öğreneceksiniz
In this article, you will discover the core principles of digital sovereignty and why it matters for nations like Hungary. You will gain an understanding of Hungary’s National Digitalisation Strategy 2022-2030 and how it aligns with broader European efforts to reduce dependency on foreign technology. The article examines the significant risks associated with relying on US-based tech giants like Salesforce and Microsoft, including the implications of the US CLOUD Act for European data privacy. You will learn about the key features and benefits of InvestGlass as a Swiss sovereign CRM alternative, including a detailed comparison with Salesforce and Microsoft Dynamics. Finally, the article provides practical guidance on the process of migrating from a US-based CRM to InvestGlass, ensuring a smooth transition to a sovereign digital future.
Understanding Digital Sovereignty in the Modern Age
Digital sovereignty represents a nation’s ability to control its own digital destiny, encompassing everything from data and infrastructure to the legal and regulatory frameworks that govern the digital space. In an increasingly interconnected world, where data flows across borders at unprecedented speeds, the question of who controls this data has become a matter of national security and economic competitiveness.
The concept has gained particular urgency in recent years as governments and businesses have come to recognise the strategic importance of data. The World Economic Forum estimates that over 92% of all data is stored on servers owned by US-based companies, creating a significant concentration of power in the hands of a few large technology corporations. This concentration raises profound questions about privacy, security, and the ability of nations to protect their citizens and businesses from foreign interference.
For European nations, the challenge is particularly acute. The European Council on Foreign Relations has warned that “foreign technology companies cannot be entrusted with meeting Europe’s growing digital needs,” noting that three US giants provide approximately 70% of Europe’s cloud computing infrastructure. This dependency creates vulnerabilities that extend far beyond the realm of technology, touching on issues of economic sovereignty, national security, and democratic governance.
The European Context: A Continent Seeking Digital Independence
The push for digital sovereignty is not unique to Hungary. Across Europe, governments are grappling with the implications of their dependency on American technology companies. The European Commission has launched a series of initiatives aimed at reducing this dependency, including the Digital Services Act, the Digital Markets Act, and the European Chips Act. These measures reflect a growing consensus that Europe must develop its own technological capabilities to remain competitive and secure in the digital age.
Belgium’s cyber security chief recently warned that Europe faces “an enormous security problem” due to its deep reliance on American tech giants for digital infrastructure. This sentiment is echoed by policymakers across the continent, who are increasingly concerned about the potential for US technology companies to be weaponised as instruments of foreign policy. The experience of recent years has demonstrated that technological dependencies can be exploited for political purposes, creating risks that extend far beyond the commercial realm.
The European Union has responded to these concerns with a range of regulatory initiatives designed to protect European data and promote European technological capabilities. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) remains the gold standard for data protection worldwide, but European policymakers recognise that regulation alone is not sufficient. Building genuine digital sovereignty requires the development of European alternatives to the dominant US platforms, alternatives that can provide the same functionality while keeping data under European control.
Hungary’s National Digitalisation Strategy: A Roadmap to Sovereignty
Hungary has positioned itself at the forefront of the European push for digital sovereignty. The National Digitalisation Strategy 2022-2030 represents a comprehensive roadmap for the country’s digital transformation, with a strong emphasis on building a resilient and independent digital infrastructure. The strategy is aligned with the European Union’s ‘Digital Decade’ policy programme, which outlines ambitious goals for the digital transformation of businesses, public services, and digital infrastructure by 2030.
The Hungarian strategy is built on four fundamental pillars that together form a comprehensive approach to digital transformation. The first pillar, Digital Infrastructure, emphasises the importance of providing modern, high-capacity broadband networks across Hungary, ensuring that all citizens and businesses have access to the connectivity they need to participate in the digital economy. The second pillar, Digital Competence, focuses on enhancing the digital skills and awareness of the population, increasing the number of digitally proficient workers, and reducing the digital divide that can exclude vulnerable populations from the benefits of digitalisation.
The third pillar, Digital Economy, aims to boost the digital readiness of businesses, foster the integration of digital technologies across all sectors, and encourage the development of innovative digital solutions. This pillar also supports the data economy in line with Hungary’s Yapay Zeka Strategy, recognising that data is the fuel that powers the modern digital economy. The fourth pillar, Digital State, seeks to expand the range of user-friendly digital public services and promote their adoption among citizens and businesses, making government more efficient and accessible.
Hungary’s Data Localisation Requirements
One of the most significant aspects of Hungary’s approach to digital sovereignty is its implementation of data localisation rules. These rules require state and local government bodies, as well as entities in critical sectors, to host their electronic systems within the European Union. Processing of data is limited to the European Economic Area unless specifically allowed by treaty or supervisory approval, and foreign firms operating in Hungary must appoint a local representative.
These requirements reflect a broader European trend towards data localisation, driven by concerns about the extraterritorial reach of foreign governments and the potential for data to be accessed and controlled by non-EU entities. Hungary’s tax law mandates local storage of original accounting documents for quick access by authorities, and laws restrict the transfer or disclosure of classified, financial, or insurance data without consent. Public bodies are required to make non-personal public data accessible, while private entities may need to share data upon request.
For US technology companies, Hungary’s localisation framework presents significant challenges. Hosting requirements limit US cloud providers unless they invest in local infrastructure, and mandatory local representation combined with sector-specific restrictions increases compliance burdens. Hungary’s rules contribute to regulatory fragmentation in Europe, affecting US competitiveness and disrupting operational continuity for firms that have built their business models around centralised, US-based infrastructure.
The Perils of Big Tech Dependency: Understanding the Risks
The dominance of US tech giants like Salesforce and Microsoft in the global CRM and cloud computing market presents a significant challenge to nations striving for digital sovereignty. While these platforms offer powerful tools and have become deeply embedded in the operations of businesses worldwide, they also come with inherent risks that are often overlooked in the rush to adopt the latest technology.
The US CLOUD Act: A Threat to European Data Privacy
Perhaps the most significant risk associated with US-based technology platforms is the US CLOUD Act, enacted in 2018. This controversial piece of legislation gives US law enforcement agencies the authority to demand access to data stored by US-based technology companies, regardless of where that data is physically located. This means that even if your data is stored in a data centre in Frankfurt or Amsterdam, it could still be accessed by US authorities, bypassing EU data protection laws.
The implications of the CLOUD Act for European businesses are profound. Data that European organisations believed was protected by GDPR may in fact be accessible to US authorities, creating a direct conflict between US and EU law. European businesses have limited legal recourse if their data is accessed by US authorities, and the power imbalance between nation-states and multinational corporations makes it difficult to challenge data access requests.
The CLOUD Act represents a fundamental challenge to the principle of data sovereignty. It asserts that US jurisdiction extends to data held by US companies anywhere in the world, regardless of local laws or the wishes of data subjects. For European organisations that handle sensitive data, whether personal data protected by GDPR or commercially sensitive business information, this creates an unacceptable risk.
Vendor Lock-in and Economic Disadvantage
Beyond the legal risks, reliance on US-based CRM platforms creates significant economic vulnerabilities. The high costs and technical complexity of switching from one CRM platform to another can create a situation of vendor lock-in, where businesses become dependent on a single provider and face prohibitive barriers to switching. This dependency can stifle innovation and create an uneven playing field for smaller, European competitors.
The dominance of a few large US players in the CRM market has created a situation where European businesses are effectively subsidising the growth of American technology companies. Revenue flows out of Europe to the United States, while European technology companies struggle to compete against well-funded American rivals. This economic imbalance has broader implications for European competitiveness and innovation.
Geopolitical Risks and Technology Weaponisation
Recent years have demonstrated that technological dependencies can be weaponised for political purposes. The Trump administration has not hesitated to use technology as a tool of foreign policy, threatening to shut off services or impose restrictions on countries that do not comply with American demands. European businesses that rely on US technology platforms are exposed to these geopolitical risks, which can materialise with little warning and have devastating consequences.
The European Council on Foreign Relations has warned that “Trump rarely hesitates to weaponise technological dependencies or attack the EU’s digital rules,” noting that a change of president in the future is unlikely to alter these dynamics. The fundamental issue is structural: US technology companies are subject to US law and US political pressure, regardless of where their customers are located or what commitments they have made to protect European data.
InvestGlass: The Swiss Sovereign Alternative for Hungary
As Hungarian businesses and government entities seek to align with the country’s digital sovereignty goals, they need a credible, secure, and powerful alternative to the US tech giants. This is where InvestGlass comes in. As a Swiss-based company headquartered in Geneva, InvestGlass offers a comprehensive CRM platform that is built on the principles of veri egemenliği, privacy, and security.
InvestGlass positions itself as the “#1 Sovereign Swiss CRM,” with a tagline that captures its core value proposition: “The Power of Automation. The Freedom of Sovereignty.” As a non-US CRM, InvestGlass is fully compliant with Swiss data sovereignty laws, which are among the strictest in the world. Switzerland’s robust data protection measures, combined with InvestGlass’s dedication to data localisation and indigenous data sovereignty, offer unparalleled assurance for organisations concerned about protecting their data.
Why Switzerland Matters for Data Sovereignty
Switzerland occupies a unique position in the global data protection landscape. The country is not a member of the European Union, but it has been recognised by the EU as providing an adequate level of data protection, meaning that data can flow freely between the EU and Switzerland. At the same time, Switzerland is not subject to US jurisdiction in the way that EU member states can be through various transatlantic agreements.
İsviçre'nin dijital egemenliği has been a priority for the Swiss government, with President Ignazio Cassis emphasising the importance of balancing free data flow with robust data protection. The Digital Switzerland Strategy 2025 outlines the country’s commitment to prioritising digital services and ensuring that the entire population benefits from a sustainable digital transformation. Switzerland’s strengths in research and development, combined with its role as a host country for major international organisations, make it an ideal location for companies seeking to protect their data from foreign interference.
InvestGlass is a local champion that helps promote digital sovereignty in Switzerland and beyond. Its software provides citizens and businesses with a safe platform to store, manage, and share their data, free from the risks associated with US-based platforms. The company has been selected by major financial institutions, including Arab Bank, and is a preferred solution for many Swiss asset managers looking to improve their cybersecurity posture while taking advantage of Swiss privacy laws.
InvestGlass Platformunun Temel Özellikleri
InvestGlass provides a complete suite of tools to manage the entire customer lifecycle, from dijital işe alım and CRM to portfolio management and marketing automation. The platform is designed to be flexible and scalable, catering to the needs of businesses of all sizes, from small enterprises to large financial institutions and government agencies.
Digital Onboarding is a core strength of the InvestGlass platform, enabling organisations to collect new leads and introduce new customers to digital products or services efficiently and compliantly. The platform streamlines the onboarding process, reducing friction and improving the customer experience while ensuring that all regulatory requirements are met.
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) capabilities allow organisations to organise and optimise their customer interactions, maximising customer satisfaction and retention. The InvestGlass CRM is designed to be intuitive and user-friendly, with customisable dashboards and drag-and-drop features that allow users to tailor the system to their specific needs.
Portföy Yönetim Sistemi (PMS) functionality streamlines investment and banking operations by providing real-time insights into customer data, enabling informed decision-making. This is particularly valuable for financial services organisations that need to manage complex portfolios while maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements.
Pazarlama Automation tools enable organisations to plan and execute sophisticated marketing campaigns, with tracking and reporting across all channels. The platform supports customised segmentation of audiences by demographic and other factors, ensuring that the right message reaches the right audience at the right time.
Client Portal functionality improves communication between clients and businesses, providing easy access to documents, invoices, and other important information. This self-service capability reduces the burden on customer service teams while improving the client experience.
Automation and Onay Süreci capabilities, including Robotic Process Automation (RPA), help businesses become more efficient, reduce costs, and remain competitive in the ever-changing market. These tools automate routine tasks, freeing up staff to focus on higher-value activities.
InvestGlass ile Veri Egemenliği
The cornerstone of the InvestGlass value proposition is its commitment to data sovereignty. With InvestGlass, organisations have the choice of hosting their data in a secure Swiss cloud or on their own on-premise servers. This flexibility gives clients complete control over their data and ensures compliance with local data protection requirements, including Hungary’s data localisation rules.
InvestGlass’s cloud infrastructure is tailored to safeguard against compromise, ensuring that data is stored and transmitted securely, in compliance with international data privacy regulations like the GDPR. Beyond just storing data, InvestGlass offers comprehensive data audits and data mapping features to assist businesses in maintaining control over their data, keeping it secure in the exact geographical location dictated by relevant laws.
Whether it’s data residency options, data protection policies, or governance processes, InvestGlass is adept at navigating the complexities of data sovereignty requirements, making it an ideal choice for companies conducting business in various jurisdictions. The platform prevents potential transfer of data sovereignty to the US and helps organisations respect local legal requirements.
Comparing InvestGlass with Salesforce and Microsoft Dynamics
For Hungarian organisations considering their CRM options, a detailed comparison of the available platforms is essential. The following table provides an overview of how InvestGlass compares with the leading US-based alternatives:
| Özellik | InvestGlass | Satış Gücü | Microsoft Dynamics 365 |
| Genel Merkez | Cenevre, İsviçre | San Francisco, ABD | Redmond, ABD |
| Veri Egemenliği | Swiss Cloud or On-Premise | US-based Cloud | US-based Cloud |
| CLOUD Yasasına Maruz Kalma | Hayır | Evet | Evet |
| GDPR Uyumluluğu | Full | Limited by US law | Limited by US law |
| Swiss DPA Compliance | Full | Hayır | Hayır |
| Özelleştirme | Yüksek | Orta | Orta |
| Pricing Transparency | Yüksek | Complex and Tiered | Complex and Tiered |
| Financial Services Focus | Güçlü | General | General |
| Government Sector Support | Güçlü | Sınırlı | Sınırlı |
| Şirket İçi Seçeneği | Evet | Hayır | Sınırlı |
| 7/24 Destek | Evet | Varies by plan | Varies by plan |
| Integration Ecosystem | 500+ integrations | Extensive | Extensive |
The comparison reveals that while Salesforce and Microsoft Dynamics offer extensive functionality and large ecosystems, they cannot match InvestGlass on the critical dimension of data sovereignty. For Hungarian organisations that must comply with data localisation requirements and protect sensitive data from foreign access, InvestGlass offers a compelling advantage.
Making the Switch: Migrating from Salesforce to InvestGlass
For Hungarian businesses currently using Salesforce or other US-based CRM solutions, the transition to a sovereign platform like InvestGlass is a strategic imperative. The process of switching from Salesforce to InvestGlass is well-defined and supported, with the InvestGlass team working closely with clients throughout the migration journey.
Many scaling companies have switched from Salesforce to InvestGlass because they wanted to operate in “minutes and hours” instead of “weeks and months,” align sales, compliance, marketing, and operation teams with access to data from one system, boost adoption and usage across their teams for reliable data output, connect the CRM to a bank-grade portfolio management tool, move from a US-based CRM to a European, Swiss-hosted solution, and connect their business-critical tools through InvestGlass’s integrations and flexible API.
The Five Phases of Switching
The InvestGlass migration process is structured into five clear phases, each with an associated plan and timeline. During each phase, the InvestGlass team works with your team or partners every step of the way.
Phase 1: Records Migration involves defining which data should be moved into InvestGlass, including relations, portfolios, transactions, accounts, contacts, and opportunities. Custom fields are built in InvestGlass to accommodate your data structure, and data is exported from the current platform into CSV format for cleaning and preparation.
Phase 2: Integration focuses on rebuilding your technical architecture, eliminating and consolidating where possible. Critical business applications are connected using pre-built connectors from partner APIs, and for integrations that don’t exist, the InvestGlass API library enables custom development.
Phase 3: Automation involves documenting existing automation and workflows, including deal automation, nurture follow-up, and fulfilment processes. These are then redesigned and optimised for the InvestGlass platform, leveraging the platform’s automation and approval process tools.
Phase 4: Portfolio Management connects your data sources and rebuilds suitability assessments, universe lists, appropriateness checks, risk metrics, and strategies. Visual components are configured to provide the insights your team needs.
Phase 5: Monitor and Reports inventories all active reports in the current tool, defines future state reporting needs, and selects or customises reports to meet your requirements. The InvestGlass team can also build custom reporting solutions for complex needs.
Pre-Purchase Checklist
Before beginning the migration process, InvestGlass recommends considering several key items. These include reviewing and documenting your existing sales processes, recording your existing CRM and PMS system configuration including records, portfolios, API integrations, workflows, automation, lead assignment rules, views, dashboards, and reports. Data should be prepared by merging and eliminating deprecated or out-of-date records. Teams should be upskilled on InvestGlass products knowledge by completing the free InvestGlass Sales and Compliance Software Certification. Finally, organisations should begin developing their digital transformation strategy, including business change management and communication plans.
The Strategic Case for Digital Sovereignty
The decision to adopt a sovereign CRM platform is not merely a technical choice; it is a strategic decision with far-reaching implications for an organisation’s future. In an increasingly uncertain geopolitical environment, the ability to control your own data and technology infrastructure is a source of competitive advantage and resilience.
For Hungarian organisations, the case for digital sovereignty is particularly compelling. Hungary’s National Digitalisation Strategy explicitly prioritises the development of sovereign digital capabilities, and the country’s data localisation rules create legal requirements that US-based platforms cannot easily satisfy. By choosing a sovereign platform like InvestGlass, Hungarian organisations can align their technology choices with national policy objectives while protecting themselves from the risks associated with foreign technology dependency.
The benefits of digital sovereignty extend beyond compliance and risk management. Organisations that control their own data can innovate more freely, developing new products and services without concern about how their data might be used by third parties. They can build deeper relationships with customers by demonstrating a commitment to privacy and security. And they can contribute to the development of a more balanced and equitable digital ecosystem, one in which European organisations are not merely consumers of American technology but active participants in shaping the digital future.
Conclusion: A Sovereign Choice for a Sovereign Nation
Hungary’s pursuit of digital sovereignty is a bold and necessary step in securing its future in the digital age. As the nation continues on this path, the choice of technology partners will be critical. Relying on US tech giants that are subject to the laws and political pressures of a foreign government is a risk that Hungarian businesses and public institutions can no longer afford to take.
InvestGlass offers a compelling and powerful alternative, a Swiss sovereign CRM platform that provides the automation and features of the leading US providers, with the freedom and security of true data sovereignty. With its commitment to data protection, its comprehensive feature set, and its collaborative approach to customer success, InvestGlass is the ideal partner for Hungarian organisations looking to build a sovereign digital future.
The choice is clear: a sovereign future requires sovereign solutions. For Hungary, and for Europe, InvestGlass represents a path forward that combines technological excellence with the protection of fundamental values. In making this choice, Hungarian organisations are not only protecting their own interests but contributing to the broader European project of building a digital ecosystem that serves the interests of European citizens and businesses.
Sıkça Sorulan Sorular (SSS)
1. What is digital sovereignty and why is it so important for nations like Hungary today?
Digital sovereignty refers to a nation’s ability to have control over its own digital infrastructure, data, and the legal frameworks that govern the digital space. For Hungary, it is crucial for protecting citizens’ data, fostering a competitive digital economy, and ensuring the security and resilience of critical infrastructure. In an era where data is increasingly valuable and geopolitical tensions can affect technology access, digital sovereignty provides a foundation for national security and economic independence.
2. How does Hungary’s National Digitalisation Strategy 2022-2030 promote digital sovereignty?
The strategy promotes digital sovereignty through four key pillars: Digital Infrastructure, Digital Competence, Digital Economy, and Digital State. It emphasises the development of local digital infrastructure, enhances the digital skills of the population, and implements data localisation rules that require critical data to be stored within the EU. The strategy aligns with the EU’s Digital Decade programme while addressing Hungary’s specific needs and priorities.
3. What is the US CLOUD Act and how does it affect European businesses using American CRM platforms?
The US CLOUD Act, enacted in 2018, allows US law enforcement agencies to demand access to data stored by US-based technology companies, regardless of where the data is physically located. This means that European businesses using platforms like Salesforce or Microsoft Dynamics may have their data accessed by US authorities, even if the data is stored in European data centres. This creates a direct conflict with GDPR and undermines the data protection rights of European citizens and businesses.
4. How does InvestGlass provide a solution to the challenges of data sovereignty?
As a Swiss company, InvestGlass is not subject to the US CLOUD Act or other US extraterritorial legislation. It offers clients the choice of hosting their data in a secure Swiss cloud or on their own on-premise servers, ensuring complete control over data location and access. InvestGlass is fully compliant with GDPR and Swiss data protection laws, providing the highest level of data protection available.
5. What are the main differences between InvestGlass and US-based CRM platforms like Salesforce?
The primary difference is data sovereignty. InvestGlass provides a truly sovereign solution where data remains under the client’s control, while US-based platforms are subject to US laws that can compromise European data privacy. InvestGlass also offers more transparent pricing, a strong focus on financial services and government sectors, and a collaborative partnership approach rather than a transactional vendor relationship.
6. Is it difficult to migrate from Salesforce to InvestGlass?
No, InvestGlass provides a structured and supportive five-phase migration process to ensure a smooth transition. The phases cover records migration, integration, automation, portfolio management, and reporting. The InvestGlass team works closely with clients throughout the process, and partners are available to provide additional support for complex migrations.
7. What kind of support does InvestGlass offer to its customers?
InvestGlass offers 24/7 support for all users, regardless of their subscription level. The company also provides free software certifications and training courses, Genius Bars for hands-on assistance, and a comprehensive knowledge base. This commitment to customer success ensures that teams can get up to speed quickly and maximise the value of their investment.
8. Can InvestGlass be customised to meet specific business requirements?
Yes, the InvestGlass platform is highly customisable. It features a flexible API and over 500 integrations that allow organisations to connect their favourite tools and tailor the solution to their specific workflows. Customisable dashboards, drag-and-drop features, and configurable automation rules enable organisations to build the exact CRM experience they need.
9. Is InvestGlass suitable for small businesses, or is it only for large enterprises?
InvestGlass is designed to be scalable and can be used by businesses of all sizes, from small startups to large enterprises with thousands of employees. The platform offers different pricing tiers and configurations to meet the needs of different organisation sizes, and the same powerful features are available regardless of company size.
10. How can Hungarian organisations get started with InvestGlass?
Hungarian organisations can get started with InvestGlass by visiting www.investglass.com and signing up for a free trial or booking a demo with the sales team. The free trial provides access to the full platform for up to 20 users for 30 days, with guided onboarding to help teams evaluate whether InvestGlass meets their needs. The InvestGlass team is available to answer questions and provide guidance throughout the evaluation process.