In the interview with Jens Weller, CEO of Toplink GmbH

Exclusive interview with Jens Weller, CEO of Toplink GmbH: Why SMEs must end their dependence on Microsoft now

The signs in German SMEs point to change: rising license fees, complex licensing models, and ongoing uncertainties around data protection are forcing more and more IT decision-makers to fundamentally question the status quo of global standard platforms like Microsoft 365. But how can companies break free from the platform trap without jeopardizing their own productivity? What potential do European alternatives offer for digital sovereignty, true data control, and predictable total costs?

In an exclusive interview for Silicon Valley Europe, we tackle these pressing questions about the future. Our interviewee is Jens Weller, Managing Director of toplink GmbH. As a BNetzA-registered participant network operator with decades of operator and cloud experience, he speaks plainly about the risks of monopolistic ecosystems and presents the Toplink Office Suite (TOS) as a tried-and-tested European alternative. In the interview, you’ll learn why switching to a domestic cloud infrastructure is no longer just an IT issue, but a strategic leadership task—and how companies can transition to a sovereign work environment in four low-risk stages without productivity loss or a “big bang.” Get ready for an engaging conversation packed with insights, concrete figures, and a clear stance on Europe’s digital future. You can read the full interview here.

Silicon Valley Europe: Mr. Weller, more and more companies in the German SME sector are questioning their dependence on US hyperscalers. Why has digital sovereignty become such an urgent leadership task in 2026—not just an IT issue?

Jens Weller:The digital workplace is now under new decision-making pressure as market forces, regulatory requirements, and AI converge. It is no longer just about tools, but about strategic control, compliance, and economic planning. Those who cede control over their company data and AI processes to global platforms expose themselves to risks that directly affect senior management. Sovereignty is therefore a genuine management decision.

Silicon Valley Europe:Mr. Weller, many IT managers complain about opaque bundles, constant price adjustments, and unpredictable additional costs with Microsoft 365. Why are established licensing models increasingly coming under economic pressure?

Jens Weller:Because while the entry prices may seem attractive, growing complexity leads to significant licensing and additional costs—such as for advanced security, backup, archiving, or telephony. If a Microsoft 365 license costs between €25.71 and €40.32 per user per month depending on the tier, plus surcharges for flexibility, it quickly exceeds many IT budgets. A European solution like TOS costs about half per user per month and offers full cost transparency without unpleasant surprises.

Silicon Valley Europe:Mr. Weller, toplink has positioned a European alternative in the market with the Toplink Office Suite – TOS. What fundamentally distinguishes TOS from global standard platforms in terms of data protection, hosting, and control over company data?

Jens Weller: TOS is based on a clear European operational logic. While global platforms are often tied to international cloud models and bring legal uncertainties such as the US Cloud Act, we guarantee 100% data sovereignty within the EU legal area – including hosting in ISO-27001-certified data centers in Germany. In addition, we combine Office, cloud collaboration, and professional PSTN communication in an integrated, controllable solution.

Silicon Valley Europe: Mr. Weller, the biggest concern for many managing directors when switching is operational disruption – fear of data loss, downtime, or acceptance issues within the team. What does a risk-free migration path look like, and how can the gradual transformation be achieved without a radical “big bang”?

Jens Weller: No one needs to pull the plug overnight. TOS enables a manageable transformation path through four clear stages: after the initial connection to existing directory structures, companies use hybrid operation, where M365 and TOS run in parallel. This allows teams to be gradually transitioned without disrupting operations. Only when data and workflows have been cleanly migrated does the final license change take place.

Silicon Valley Europe: Mr. Weller, toplink describes TOS not as a pure software product, but emphasizes its own operator and communication expertise. What foundation does toplink bring as a BNetzA-registered telecommunications network operator to reliably secure mission-critical infrastructures?

Jens Weller: TOS was not designed on the drawing board, but is based on over three decades of operator and cloud practice. We have been in the market since 1995, pioneers in SIP trunking, RIPE members since 1997 and a BNetzA-registered carrier network operator with over 2,300 direct peerings. More than 5,000 business customers rely on our 24/7 service from Germany. TOS therefore stands on a highly secure, tried-and-tested foundation.

Silicon Valley Europe: Mr. Weller, in August you will speak at Hessen Digital about the topic of agentic AI as well. How can the wave of autonomous AI systems be reconciled with strict requirements for data protection, control and European governance?

Jens Weller: Agentic AI offers enormous automation potential for companies and public administration, but it demands strict governance. AI needs sovereignty: when AI agents perform tasks autonomously, the underlying data models and workflows must operate within a controlled, GDPR-compliant framework. With TOS, we provide the infrastructure to securely and transparently integrate AI applications into business processes without creating new dependencies.

Silicon Valley Europe: Mr. Weller, to conclude briefly and directly: if a medium-sized company wants to know today how well the Toplink Office Suite fits into their daily work and what the concrete savings potential is – how easy is the first step to try it out?

Jens Weller: It’s incredibly simple and completely risk-free. We invite every company to experience TOS live in a non-binding test environment and conduct an individual TCO analysis with our experts. Those who start the live test usually realize within minutes: sovereign work from Europe is not a thing of the future, but is immediately available – as usual, highly productive, significantly more cost-effective, and with the reassuring feeling of complete data control. Simply take the self-test!

Silicon Valley Europe: Many thanks for your time and the detailed interview on the overarching topic of sovereignty.