European companies Eviden, part of the Atos Group, and Vates have forged a collaboration to develop a sovereign virtualization infrastructure with European reach . The proposal combines cutting-edge enterprise hardware with open-source virtualization software to reduce dependence on non-EU vendors in public and private organizations.
As both companies have detailed, the solution integrates BullSequana SH servers , designed for critical workloads and artificial intelligence use cases, with the Vates VMS management layer based on open technologies. The approach covers everything from traditional data centers to hybrid or vertically specific environments, with a focus on control, transparency, and regulatory compliance.
European technology and open source software as the backbone
The agreement rests on two complementary components: BullSequana SH servers, designed for high-density operations and mission-critical tasks; and Vates' hypervisor and management platform, built on the Xen Project and managed entirely with open-source software. This approach allows for code auditing, adaptation, and infrastructure adjustments to meet specific requirements without relying on external development lifecycles.
The companies emphasize that the stack can be configured without critical components located outside the European perimeter, in line with the European Commission's priorities regarding digital sovereignty and strategic autonomy . This aims to mitigate the risk of technological gridlock and facilitate reproducible security assessments.
First deployment at the Angers plant
The first implementation is taking place at Eviden's factory in Angers, France, which is currently being transformed into an advanced facility with a high degree of automation. This internal environment will serve as a testing and validation site before the solution is rolled out to customers in the European market.
Eviden's Business Computing and AI division maintains that the collaboration with Vates strengthens its ability to operate with greater technological autonomy and meet critical needs with solutions developed and controlled in Europe . Similarly, Vates values ​​Eviden's support, which validates Vates VMS as a viable alternative to the prevailing proprietary offerings.
Regulation and geopolitical context: an aligned bet
The rise of sovereign infrastructures responds to institutional concerns about digital autonomy, cyber resilience, and issues of IT law . EU initiatives such as the Cybersecurity Code , the European Data Strategy , and the GAIA-X framework prioritize reducing exposure to non-EU providers in sensitive areas such as virtualization, storage, and networks.
The collaboration between Eviden and Vates fits into this direction by proposing a model that can be replicated by administrations, regulated sectors and strategic companies, with auditable security controls and a mostly European technological supply chain.
Modular architecture adaptable to multiple sectors
The stack is designed as a modular solution that can be deployed in private clouds, corporate data centers, or edge environments. The combination of hardware designed and manufactured in Europe with open-source software facilitates interoperability, auditing, and compliance with demanding regulatory frameworks.
BullSequana SH servers integrate AI-oriented capabilities and large-scale data analysis, while Vates VMS offers compatibility with multiple Linux distributions, integration with automation tools, and revisable security features, without proprietary licenses that limit system evolution.
A European virtualization market in full transition
The arrival of sovereign proposals coincides with a shift in IT priorities: hybrid architectures are proliferating, and attention to cyber resilience is increasing in finance, healthcare, and the public sector. In this landscape, traditionally dominated by US hypervisors and platforms like VMware, Microsoft, and Citrix , the alliance proposes an approach focused on lifecycle control and technical transparency.
This repositioning may open up space for new players who emphasize open management, regulatory compliance , and reduced dependencies, aspects that many organizations already consider crucial in their roadmaps.
Industrial dimension and European strategy
Beyond the technical aspects, the collaboration is part of an industrial vision that seeks to strengthen the continent's own capabilities. Eviden has a presence in 36 countries , employs 4.500 professionals , and manages more than 2.100 patents , in addition to participating in European projects in cybersecurity, AI, and advanced computing.
Vates, based in Grenoble, has developed its platform on open foundations geared towards interoperability and technological independence, an approach that aims to guarantee total control over the infrastructure and flexibility to integrate with third parties.
Open source and consolidation of European suppliers
The open-source software ecosystem has gained traction as a way to strengthen the digital autonomy of public administrations and businesses. The joint commitment to open technologies allows clients to audit system behavior, integrate components, and adapt the lifecycle without being subject to unilateral decisions by third-party countries.
With its internal deployment in Angers and a roadmap that prioritizes control and transparency, Eviden and Vates' proposal seeks to position itself as a credible European alternative in virtualization, combining local hardware and an open management layer to respond to market and regulatory demands.
