Intermax is a founding member of the Open Cloud Alliance
Intermax is involved as a founding member of the Open Cloud Alliance (OCA). The OCA is a partnership of seven Dutch cloud providers — Centric, Info Support, Intermax, KPN, Nebul, Previder and Uniserver — supported by Stichting Digitale Infrastructuur Nederland and TNO.
Together, the members offer a concrete alternative to the extensive dependency on non-European tech giants. Each member provides an open and autonomous cloud platform on which the government can securely run its critical systems and store sensitive data. Based on proven technology, managed by Dutch parties, within Dutch and European jurisdiction.
Why the Open Cloud Alliance?
The Dutch government has become extensively dependent on non-European tech giants, with potential consequences for freedom of choice, continuity of government services and unwanted access to sensitive data. National information infrastructure can be used as a geopolitical pressure tool or as a sanction.
Digital autonomy and economic autonomy are inextricably linked. Technology choices determine where data, knowledge, innovation and value creation end up. Billions of euros in ICT spending leave the country each year — including employment, tax revenue and strategic decision-making. Autonomy is not free, but dependency is more expensive.
Three principles
Digital autonomy is not about protectionism. It is about three principles that determine whether an organisation truly has control over its own digital foundation.
Open architecture — Modular design, no dependency on a single vendor. Organisations can switch with their applications when needed.
Open standards — Systems that communicate seamlessly (interoperability); data that can be properly exchanged. Specifically, the OCA focuses on standardisation of containerisation based on Kubernetes and is developing the Open Reference Cloud Architecture (ORCA).
Open source software — The cloud platform on which applications run makes maximum use of open source software: auditable and freely available to all.
What the OCA offers
The OCA offers government organisations not only technology, but also guidance in bringing data and applications back to the Netherlands. The alliance invests in building and retaining expertise, together with educational and research institutions. Through the use of open standards, the risk of vendor lock-in is effectively mitigated via a concrete exit strategy.
Together, the alliance operates around ten modern data centres spread across the Netherlands. This distribution contributes to resilience and risk mitigation.
Members of the alliance
The Open Cloud Alliance was founded in March 2026 by seven Dutch cloud providers:
Supported by Stichting Digitale Infrastructuur Nederland and TNO.
More information
More information about the Open Cloud Alliance can be found at www.opencloudalliantie.nl.