For CEOs
Data for CEOs: the no-jargon guide
Everything a CEO needs to know about data to make better decisions, without the technical complexity: what to ask for, what to measure and how to get results.
Read articleKey takeaways
- Check where data is processed: EU compute is key for compliance and sovereignty.
- Check the pricing model: real consumption versus fixed licences.
- Ask whether an expert team is included or you only get a tool.
- Prioritise business outcome and time to first value.
- The clarity of answers tells you more than any sales deck.
Choosing a Data as a Service provider is a strategic decision: it shapes cost, compliance and speed for years. These ten criteria help you compare with a business mindset, not just a technical one.
The 10 criteria
- Compute in Europe: where is your data actually processed?
- GDPR by design: privacy and security in the architecture.
- End-to-end encryption: in transit and at rest.
- Pricing model: real consumption versus fixed capacity.
- Expert team included: result, not just a tool.
- Integrations: fits your current ecosystem.
- Time to result: weeks, not months.
- Data governance: quality, access and traceability built in.
- Support and SLA: clear response and commitment.
- Scalability: grows with you without rebuilding.
Red flags that should stop you
- They cannot tell you precisely where your data is processed.
- The price depends on fixed capacity you pay for whether you use it or not.
- The solution is left without maintenance when the project ends.
- You cannot take your data and results with you if you switch.
EU compute
+ GDPR+ encryption
Model
ConsumptionExpert team
Outcome
WeeksPortable
The question that sums it all up
If you could ask only one question: "How soon will my first use case be working, where will the data be processed, and what exactly will I pay for it?" The clarity of the answer tells you more about the provider than any sales deck.
Do not choose the provider with the most features. Choose the one that delivers the result — in Europe and on time.
In summary
Choose a DaaS provider on EU compute, GDPR, encryption, pricing model, included team, integrations, time to result, governance, support and scalability. Watch for red flags around data location, fixed capacity, post-project maintenance and portability — and judge by the clarity of their answers.
Sources & further reading
Frequently asked questions
What is the most important thing when choosing?
That compute is European and GDPR-compliant, that an expert team is included, and that it delivers business results in weeks with transparent pricing.
How do I avoid getting locked in?
Make sure you keep ownership and portability of your data and results, and check what happens if you end the service.
Local or global provider — which is better?
What is decisive is where data is processed and whether it is GDPR-compliant. A provider with European compute and an expert team is usually the best combination.
What are the red flags?
Vagueness about data location, pricing tied to fixed capacity, no post-project maintenance, and inability to take your data and results elsewhere.
What single question reveals most?
How soon the first use case will work, where data is processed, and exactly what you will pay. Clear answers signal a serious provider.
Why does an included team matter?
It is the difference between getting a tool you must operate and getting the result delivered, maintained and optimised for you.
Turn this data into results
Tell us what you want to achieve. Data Layer connects, processes and delivers the result up and running, with no infrastructure for you to manage.