Bleu: A Secure Cloud Venture by Orange and Capgemini on Microsoft Azure

In a significant move signaling a new chapter in enterprise cloud services, Orange and Capgemini have announced that their joint venture, Bleu, is preparing to offer its first suite of services based on Microsoft Azure and Microsoft 365. Launched as a commercial entity in January 2024, Bleu is not just your everyday cloud platform. Rooted in a desire to bring trusted and secure cloud solutions to Europe, it’s poised to bridge the gap between enterprise needs and increasingly stringent data sovereignty requirements.
Let’s dig deep into what this means for the broader cloud computing industry, why Orange and Capgemini are placing their chips on Bleu, and how Microsoft Azure and 365 play into this mix.

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What Is Bleu, and Why Does It Matter?​

Bleu is the brainchild of telecom giant Orange and IT service titan Capgemini, birthed in May 2021 and officially launched in 2024. This isn’t merely another cloudy attempt to jump on the tech bandwagon; it’s a meticulously crafted response to Europe’s growing need for trusted, hyper-secure cloud platforms.

The "Cloud de Confiance" Mission​

At its core, Bleu embodies France’s “Cloud de Confiance” (Trusted Cloud) initiative. French regulatory bodies such as ANSSI (France's National Cybersecurity Agency) have championed this term. It involves hosting sensitive data in compliance with European regulations—a stark contrast to the practices of international public clouds operating on foreign soil. With its SecNumCloud qualification (3.2 certification pending), Bleu holds itself to rigorous security, privacy, and sovereignty standards. This isn't just a cloud; it's a vault.
For businesses in sectors like defense, healthcare, and public administration, where data sensitivity is paramount, Bleu's mission is clear: Bring in the flexibility and scalability of modern platforms like Microsoft Azure while keeping control firmly in European hands.

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Microsoft Azure + 365 Meet Bleu's Vision​

Microsoft’s cloud solutions, particularly Azure and Microsoft 365, are globally synonymous with enterprise productivity, versatility, and scalability. By teaming up with Microsoft, Bleu is adding a golden touch to its offering—but it’s not doing so recklessly. Here’s how it works under the hood:

• Azure on Bleu’s Infrastructure: Azure’s infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) and platform-as-a-service (PaaS) capabilities will soon be available through Bleu, restructured to align with Europe’s data localization and sovereignty needs.
• Microsoft 365 Adaptation: The venerable Microsoft 365 suite, a cocktail of essential business tools like SharePoint, Teams, and OneDrive, will also be tailored for Bleu. This ensures compatibility with French and European regulatory frameworks.

Microsoft’s role here is more than just a technical layer. Under the agreement, Microsoft keeps the intellectual properties of its cloud solutions while Bleu manages hosting infrastructure and operational marketing—providing local oversight and ensuring compliance with EU privacy laws, such as GDPR, as well as specific French statutes.

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The Road to SecNumCloud Certification​

If you haven’t heard of SecNumCloud, here’s a quick rundown. This French certification, managed by ANSSI, is the gold standard for organizations hosting sensitive data. Achieving SecNumCloud 3.2 for Bleu’s platforms would elevate it to elite status among European cloud providers, emphasizing its commitment to:

• Data encryption and protection,
• Resilience to cyberattacks,
• Ensuring sovereign accessibility and management of business-critical data.

This is critical for customers who deal with highly sensitive data—both in public organizations and private enterprises where data compliance isn’t a suggestion, it’s the law.
For context, companies like Huawei’s OpenStack-powered solutions haven’t reached this level of certification. This places Bleu in a league where trust is baked into everything it offers.

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Powering Partnerships for Accelerated Growth​

Bleu is no lone wolf. Since its launch, the venture has courted and signed partnerships with 16 strategic entities, ranging from tech powerhouses like Accenture to niche players such as Wavestone, bringing together a mix of infrastructure, software, and consulting expertise. These partnerships focus on creating tailored solutions, particularly for industries dealing with mission-critical processes and sensitive user data.
Some of the big names on Bleu’s partner roster include:

• Capgemini: Not just Bleu’s co-parent, Capgemini brings technical prowess and data insight expertise.
• SCC and Sopra Steria: IT product integrators geared toward enterprise-scale solutions.
• Avanade and BearingPoint: Global consulting firms known for their knack in cloud migration and digital transformation.

By uniting such a diverse cast, Bleu ensures its solutions are both technically superior and business-ready.

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What About the Competition?​

Bleu’s imminent rollout will face fierce competition. Public clouds such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud, and even Microsoft’s core (non-Bleu-aligned) Azure offerings dominate large swaths of the European market. But Bleu has an edge in key areas:

• Data Sovereignty & Compliance: Unlike traditional hyperscalers operating under U.S.-based jurisdiction, Bleu is unambiguously governed by EU and French laws. The venture provides peace of mind for industries wary of foreign surveillance laws, such as the U.S. Cloud Act.
• Localized Expertise: With its partnerships in France and across Europe, it can offer in-depth, localized support—something global competitors often struggle with.
• Certification Advantage: If SecNumCloud certification is achieved as expected, Bleu will leap into an exclusive club of trusted providers highly sought after for critical business applications.

The final hurdle? Adoption. Businesses must weigh Bleu’s promise of hyper-local, hyper-secure cloud solutions against the entrenched dominance of competitors.

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Final Thoughts: A Cloud Blueprint for Europe’s Future​

Orange and Capgemini’s Bleu initiative represents a broader shift we’re witnessing across Europe: a desire to secure technological sovereignty while still leveraging best-in-class digital tools. By coupling the muscle of Microsoft Azure and 365 with a blueprint that prioritizes compliance, sovereignty, and trust, Bleu is offering a nuanced path forward.
For businesses using Windows environments or transitioning into hybrid and cloud-native architectures, Bleu’s future offerings could redefine productivity and versatility in Europe. But the game is far from over, and Bleu will have to demonstrate not only compliance and security but also performance, scalability, and adaptability to truly challenge existing players like AWS and Google.
So, Windows users—especially enterprise-level leaders—keep your eyes on Bleu. It may soon provide the trusted, secure cloud pathway you didn’t know you needed. Are you ready to step into the Bleu skies? Let us know your thoughts!

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Source: TelcoTitans.com Cloud begins to clear for Orange’s Bleu; first services loom