Can Business Technologists Be Catalysts For Digital Sovereignty ?

Introduction

The intersection of Business Technologists and digital sovereignty represents a transformative opportunity for nations and organizations to assert greater control over their technological destinies. As governments worldwide grapple with the challenge of maintaining autonomy over critical digital infrastructure while fostering innovation, Business Technologists emerge as pivotal actors who can bridge the gap between strategic digital sovereignty objectives and practical enterprise implementation. Through their unique positioning at the convergence of business acumen and technical expertise, these professionals are increasingly capable of orchestrating comprehensive digital transformation initiatives that leverage enterprise systems, Low-Code Platforms, and democratized development approaches to reduce dependence on foreign technological solutions while building robust domestic capabilities across sectors ranging from Care Management to Supply Chain Management.

The Current Landscape of Digital Sovereignty

Digital sovereignty has evolved from a theoretical concept to a pressing geopolitical imperative, fundamentally reshaping how nations approach technology governance and infrastructure development. Traditional sovereignty concepts focused on territorial control, but digital sovereignty represents “an effective strategy aimed at expanding state authority over the digital infrastructures in a global scenario”. This strategic approach differs markedly from conventional sovereignty because “the digital space is not an actual territory but a global infrastructure”, yet it increasingly requires territorial-like governance frameworks to ensure national autonomy and security.

The European Union exemplifies this transformation through comprehensive legislative frameworks including the Digital Markets Act, Digital Services Act, and Artificial Intelligence Act, which collectively aim to regulate the digital economy and emerging technologies within the bloc. These initiatives reflect a broader recognition that digital sovereignty “goes beyond regulation to include fostering entrepreneurship and funding innovation”, encompassing the entire technological ecosystem from research and development to deployment and governance.

Current digital sovereignty efforts face significant challenges stemming from the concentration of technological capabilities among a small number of global players. The perceived need for greater autonomy has emerged “as a defensive strategy against a perceived American hegemony in the technological sector”, driving nations to develop independent capabilities across critical infrastructure layers. European tech leaders have recently called for immediate measures to enhance digital sovereignty, advocating for “developing a sovereign infrastructure fund to boost public investments in critical technologies like AI, chips, and cloud computing”.

Business Technologists: The Emerging Bridge Between Strategy and Implementation

Business Technologists represent a fundamental evolution in how organizations approach technology integration and digital transformation. According to Gartner research, these professionals “play a pivotal role in bridging the gap between business objectives and technological capabilities”, serving as critical actors in driving digital initiatives and fostering innovation through strategic technology deployment. Unlike traditional IT professionals who operate within departmental silos, Business Technologists work across organizational boundaries, often “reporting directly to a CIO” while building “tech and analytics capabilities outside IT”.

The emergence of Business Technologists reflects broader organizational recognition that technology integration requires both technical expertise and deep business understanding. These professionals possess “a unique blend of business acumen and technical expertise, enabling them to drive innovation and digital initiatives through technology delivery across various departments”. This dual competency proves particularly valuable for digital sovereignty initiatives, where technical solutions must align with complex policy objectives while addressing specific sectoral needs.

Business Technologists function as catalysts for organizational change by democratizing technology access and empowering distributed innovation. They “help connect technology with business goals, improving digital business outcomes, often becoming the key actor in the relationship between business strategy and software engineers”. This positioning enables them to identify opportunities for reducing dependence on foreign technological solutions while building internal capabilities that support long-term sovereignty objectives.

Enterprise Systems and Automation Logic in Sovereignty Contexts

Enterprise Systems form the technological backbone of modern organizations and, by extension, national digital infrastructure. These comprehensive platforms encompass Enterprise Resource Planning systems, Customer Relationship Management solutions, and Supply Chain Management platforms that collectively enable efficient operations across organizations of all sizes. The strategic importance of Enterprise Systems for digital sovereignty becomes apparent when considering their role in managing critical business processes and sensitive organizational data.

Automation logic within Enterprise Systems represents a particularly significant component of digital sovereignty strategies. Modern Enterprise Computing Solutions have “evolved dramatically from basic process automation to sophisticated AI-driven systems”, incorporating advanced capabilities that can reduce dependence on external service providers while improving operational efficiency. The automation logic embedded within these systems enables organizations to “automate fundamental business operations and enable seamless information sharing between departments”, reducing reliance on manual processes that might require external support.

The Enterprise Systems Group within organizations serves as “the custodian of an organization’s enterprise architecture and systems portfolio”, making them critical actors in implementing sovereignty-focused technology strategies. These groups “evaluate technology options, recommend solutions that align with business strategy, and oversee implementation and integration of enterprise systems across the organization”. By prioritizing domestic or allied technological solutions, Enterprise Systems Groups can significantly contribute to broader digital sovereignty objectives while maintaining operational effectiveness.

Enterprise Business Architecture provides the strategic framework for aligning technological capabilities with sovereignty objectives. This architecture “defines how enterprise systems should be structured to align with organizational goals while facilitating efficient business operations”, enabling organizations to build resilient infrastructure that supports both immediate operational needs and long-term strategic autonomy. The modular nature of modern Enterprise Products allows for gradual transition toward sovereignty-aligned solutions without disrupting critical business processes.

Democratizing Development Through Low-Code Platforms and Citizen Developers

Low-Code Platforms represent a revolutionary approach to software development that can significantly accelerate digital sovereignty initiatives by reducing dependence on specialized technical expertise. These platforms “allow users to build applications with no or minimal coding knowledge”, democratizing development capabilities and enabling organizations to create custom solutions without relying on external vendors. For digital sovereignty purposes, Low-Code Platforms offer the dual benefit of internal capability building and reduced vendor dependence.

The emergence of Citizen Developers as a significant force in enterprise technology represents a fundamental shift in how organizations approach innovation and problem-solving. These non-technical professionals use Low-Code Platforms to “create customized solutions quickly, transforming how organizations approach digital transformation”. In the context of digital sovereignty, Citizen Developers can help organizations reduce reliance on external service providers by building internal solutions that address specific business needs while maintaining data control and operational autonomy.

Enterprise business software solutions increasingly incorporate low-code capabilities that enable rapid prototyping and deployment of sovereignty-aligned applications. Research indicates that “no-code/low-code platforms can accelerate development by 60-80%, allowing organizations to respond quickly to changing market demands and customer needs”. This acceleration proves particularly valuable for digital sovereignty initiatives that require rapid deployment of alternative solutions to replace foreign technological dependencies.

The democratization of development through Low-Code Platforms also enables organizations to build specialized capabilities across critical sectors. For example, Care Management systems can be rapidly customized to meet specific regulatory requirements, while Hospital Management solutions can be tailored to local healthcare protocols without requiring extensive external development resources. This capability proves essential for maintaining sovereignty over critical social infrastructure.

Sector-Specific Management Systems and Sovereignty Implications

Care Management and Hospital Management systems represent critical components of digital sovereignty strategies, particularly given their role in managing sensitive citizen data and supporting essential services. Person Centred Software, for instance, serves “over 8,000 care providers” with their Connected Care Platform, demonstrating the scale and importance of domestic capabilities in this sector. The platform’s comprehensive approach to digital transformation in social care illustrates how specialized Business Software Solutions can support sovereignty objectives while improving service delivery.

Hospital Management systems exemplify the intersection of digital sovereignty and critical infrastructure protection. These Enterprise Products encompass “patient data management, clinical data management, and inventory data management”, handling vast amounts of sensitive information that requires careful governance and protection. By developing domestic capabilities in Hospital Management, nations can ensure that critical healthcare data remains within national boundaries while building resilience against external disruptions.

Logistics Management and Transport Management systems represent another critical area where digital sovereignty intersects with economic security. The “Top 10 Logistics Technology Platforms” demonstrate the concentration of capabilities among global providers, highlighting the importance of developing domestic alternatives. Business Technologists working in these sectors can leverage Low-Code Platforms and Enterprise Systems to build sovereignty-aligned solutions that reduce dependence on foreign logistics providers while maintaining operational efficiency.

Supply Chain Management and Supplier Relationship Management systems prove particularly significant for digital sovereignty given their role in managing critical resource flows and vendor relationships. SAP Ariba’s dominance in the SRM space illustrates how concentration among global providers can create sovereignty vulnerabilities. Organizations can address these challenges by developing internal capabilities using Enterprise Computing Solutions that prioritize domestic suppliers and maintain greater control over supply chain data.

Case Management and Ticket Management systems, while seemingly mundane, represent important components of digital sovereignty strategies. These Business Software Solutions handle sensitive operational data and support critical business processes that require careful governance. Social Services systems, in particular, manage highly sensitive citizen information that demands robust sovereignty protections to prevent foreign access or manipulation.

Technology Transfer and Open-Source Approaches to Sovereignty

Technology transfer processes play a crucial role in building domestic digital sovereignty capabilities by enabling the systematic development and deployment of critical technologies. The accessibility of open-source AI “accelerates Technology Transfer processes within enterprise environments”, providing organizations with alternatives to proprietary solutions that might compromise sovereignty objectives. Open-source approaches offer transparency, customization capabilities, and reduced vendor lock-in that align well with sovereignty priorities.

Open-source AI models represent a particularly significant opportunity for digital sovereignty advancement. Unlike proprietary models that operate as “closed systems with restricted access, high costs, and limited customization options, open source AI models provide architecture, source code, and trained weights freely to the public”. This accessibility enables Enterprise Systems Groups to “inspect, modify, and deploy AI capabilities without the restrictions typically imposed by proprietary solutions”, creating opportunities for building domestic AI capabilities.

The integration of open-source solutions with Enterprise Resource Planning systems and other critical infrastructure can significantly enhance digital sovereignty while maintaining operational effectiveness. Meta’s LLaMA, Mistral, Deepseek and other open-source models “serve as the foundation for customized AI applications that address specific business needs while avoiding the vendor lock-in associated with proprietary solutions”. Business Technologists can leverage these capabilities to build AI-enhanced Enterprise Products that support sovereignty objectives while delivering competitive functionality.

AI Enterprise solutions increasingly incorporate open-source components that enable organizations to build sovereign capabilities while leveraging cutting-edge technology. The strategic value of open-source AI “will likely increase as models continue to evolve in capability and accessibility”, suggesting that early investment in open-source capabilities can provide long-term sovereignty advantages. Enterprise Systems Groups that establish systematic approaches for evaluating and implementing open-source solutions position their organizations for sustainable competitive advantage in an AI-driven business landscape.

Digital Transformation and Enterprise Resource Planning Integration

Digital transformation initiatives provide the strategic framework for implementing sovereignty-aligned technology changes across organizational ecosystems. Business Architecture “has emerged as a pivotal element in guiding organisations through successful digital transformations”, offering structured approaches that align business objectives with technology initiatives while supporting sovereignty priorities. This alignment ensures that technological solutions not only support operational needs but actively advance strategic autonomy objectives.

Enterprise Resource Planning systems serve as central platforms for digital transformation initiatives that can enhance digital sovereignty. These comprehensive solutions “support multiple functions across enterprises of all sizes, including customizations for specific industries”, providing the integration capabilities necessary for sovereignty-focused technology strategies. By prioritizing domestic ERP solutions or customizing international solutions to meet sovereignty requirements, organizations can build resilient operational foundations while reducing foreign dependencies.

The evolution of Enterprise Resource Systems reflects broader trends toward more flexible, sovereignty-aligned technology approaches. Modern ERP implementations increasingly incorporate AI Assistance capabilities that can reduce dependence on external service providers while improving operational efficiency. These integrated platforms enable organizations to “automate fundamental business operations and enable seamless information sharing between departments”, supporting both immediate operational needs and long-term sovereignty objectives.

Digital transformation strategies that prioritize sovereignty objectives require careful consideration of technology selection, implementation approaches, and governance frameworks. Business Technologists play crucial roles in these initiatives by identifying opportunities for building internal capabilities while maintaining operational effectiveness. Their understanding of both business requirements and technical possibilities enables them to design transformation approaches that advance sovereignty objectives without compromising organizational performance.

Building Domestic Capabilities Through Collaborative Innovation

The development of domestic digital sovereignty capabilities requires collaborative approaches that leverage the distributed expertise of Business Technologists, Enterprise Systems Groups, and other stakeholders across organizational ecosystems. European tech leaders’ recent call for “Buy European mandates for public procurement and incentives for private firms to opt for local solutions” illustrates how policy frameworks can support collaborative sovereignty-building initiatives that leverage existing capabilities while fostering innovation.

Collaborative governance frameworks prove essential for enabling Business Technologists to contribute effectively to sovereignty objectives while maintaining operational efficiency. Organizations must “embrace collaborative governance to empower these individuals while upholding security standards”, creating environments where distributed innovation can flourish without compromising critical infrastructure protection. This balance requires sophisticated governance approaches that enable experimentation while maintaining appropriate oversight.

The democratization of development through Low-Code Platforms and Citizen Developer programs creates opportunities for building sovereignty capabilities across diverse organizational functions. When properly supported, these distributed development capabilities can reduce reliance on external vendors while building internal expertise that supports long-term sovereignty objectives. Organizations that successfully implement these approaches often experience “an average load volume increase of 22% after just four months”, demonstrating the operational benefits of sovereignty-aligned technology strategies.

Industry-specific collaborative initiatives can accelerate sovereignty-building efforts by pooling resources and expertise across organizations facing similar challenges. The success of platforms like Person Centered Software in Care Management and various Hospital Management systems demonstrates how sector-specific collaboration can create robust domestic capabilities that serve sovereignty objectives while delivering competitive functionality.

Conclusion

Business Technologists possess unique capabilities to advance digital sovereignty objectives through their strategic positioning at the intersection of business strategy and technological implementation. Their ability to bridge traditional organizational boundaries, combined with their expertise in Enterprise Systems, Low-Code Platforms, and digital transformation approaches, positions them as critical actors in building domestic technological capabilities that reduce foreign dependencies while maintaining operational effectiveness.

The convergence of Business Technologists’ capabilities with emerging technology trends creates unprecedented opportunities for sovereignty advancement. The democratization of development through Low-Code Platforms and Citizen Developer programs enables organizations to build internal capabilities across critical sectors, from Care Management and Hospital Management to Supply Chain Management and Social Services. This distributed approach to capability building proves particularly valuable for sovereignty objectives because it reduces dependence on concentrated external providers while fostering innovation across diverse organizational contexts.

The strategic integration of open-source technologies, AI Enterprise solutions, and Enterprise Resource Planning systems provides the technological foundation for sovereignty-aligned digital transformation initiatives. Business Technologists’ understanding of both business requirements and technical possibilities enables them to design implementation approaches that leverage these capabilities effectively while supporting long-term strategic autonomy objectives. Their role in technology transfer processes and Enterprise Business Architecture development ensures that sovereignty considerations are integrated throughout the technology lifecycle.

Looking ahead, the continued evolution of enterprise computing solutions, business software solutions and related technologies will likely create additional opportunities for Business Technologists to contribute to digital sovereignty objectives. Organizations that successfully leverage these capabilities through collaborative governance frameworks, strategic technology selection, and systematic capability building will be best positioned to achieve sustainable sovereignty advantages while maintaining competitive operational performance in an increasingly complex global technology landscape.

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