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Digital Sovereignty Starts With the Operating Model: ISG Analyses Shift in Application Management

Digital sovereignty is often discussed as an infrastructure issue – as a choice of particular cloud providers or data centre locations. But in the age of AI, that perspective is too narrow. Core capabilities such as transparency and control over an organisation’s system landscape are primarily driven by the right operating model.

This is the conclusion of a recent analyst study by the Information Services Group (ISG), conducted on behalf of adesso SE. The report examines how, among other factors, generative AI is reshaping existing application management structures, and why classic, horizontally oriented service models are increasingly reaching their limits.


Verticalisation as a Structural Response

According to ISG, competition in application management is shifting away from pure economies of scale towards industry expertise, degree of automation, and integrated governance. Companies must integrate AI-supported processes into their IT landscape in a way that ensures compliance, transparency, and controllability at all times.

The study identifies verticalised application management as a future-proof approach. As part of its analysis, ISG also evaluated adesso’s offer. In particular, the analysts emphasise that the IT service provider systematically combines industry-specific process expertise, technology-agnostic architectures, and integrated governance structures.

Digital sovereignty is therefore not achieved through technology decisions alone, but through an architecture that embeds transparency, interchangeability, and control firmly in day-to-day operations.

“Many companies are currently investing heavily in AI and cloud,” says Peter de Lorenzi, Executive Director Horizontals, Platforms & Services at adesso SE. “The crucial question, however, remains whether this actually strengthens their ability to steer and control – or whether it creates new dependencies. Digital sovereignty means retaining control over processes, models, and ongoing development at all times – and that is only possible with a clearly structured, industry-specific operating model.”

Peter de Lorenzi is Executive Director Horizontals, Platforms & Services at adesso SE (Source: adesso SE)

High Ambitions – but Structural Anchoring Often Unclear

The need for action is also underlined by the Digital Sovereignty Index, published by adesso together with the Handelsblatt Research Institute: 92 per cent of the companies surveyed regard digital sovereignty as highly important. At the same time, 79 per cent do not have a clearly defined implementation strategy. Significant dependencies remain, particularly in relation to cloud, software, and AI technologies.

These figures illustrate a strategic gap – and this is precisely where the ISG analysis comes in. Digital sovereignty cannot be achieved through goals or investments alone. It must be clearly reflected in service design and in application management.


AI as a Driver of Structural Change

The ISG analysis also shows that generative AI is increasingly becoming an integral part of modern service delivery models. This development is raising the requirements for auditability, model independence, and clearly defined operational responsibilities.

Vertically oriented service models can meet these requirements by incorporating industry logic and regulatory frameworks directly into service design. In doing so, application management evolves from a pure operating model into a strategic enabler of digital value creation.


About the Study

The analyst study by Information Services Group examines market trends in application management and positions verticalised AMS as a structural response to AI integration, regulation, and rising governance requirements.

Find the full study available for download here. (Only available in German)

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