ROI models for cloud repatriation, Total cost of ownership calculations, Risk mitigation value propositions
Honest numbers: Scaleway is competitive with hyperscalers, not cheaper. After year-one credits expire, costs are comparable. The value isn't primarily cost savings—it's European jurisdiction, reduced lock-in, and negotiating leverage.
Cloud lock-in isn't one problem. It's four distinct forces working together: technical dependencies, data gravity, contractual entanglement, and skills atrophy. Understanding each wall separately is the first step to not building your own prison.
The Kyndryl/Solvinity acquisition exposes a fundamental weakness: the Netherlands has a "sovereign" identity application (DigiD) running on infrastructure that can be sold to foreign entities subject to extraterritorial laws (US CLOUD Act).
Sovereignty is not a sacrifice, when it saves you money. #lessismore any day of the week.