When it comes to digital infrastructure, the words “secure,” “local,” and “Swiss” carry a lot of weight – especially for internationally minded homeowners in Gstaad who demand both convenience and control. Gstaad.Cloud is a local tech initiative offering a robust, private alternative to the big international cloud services.

Behind the venture are Marc Schmid and Hanspeter Tinner, two longstanding figures in the Saanenland business community. Their goal? To help residents and small businesses navigate the digital transition with data storage, internet telephony, and email services – all managed under strict Swiss privacy law and delivered with personal, local support.

A cloud for people who don’t trust clouds
For many, the idea of uploading personal files to “the cloud” still triggers anxiety. Who sees your data? Where is it stored? What laws apply?

“We noticed that some clients – especially here in the region – preferred to keep everything on local hard drives,” says Schmid. “But that can be risky. What happens in a fire? Or a burglary? Losing decades of personal files or photos isn’t just inconvenient – it can be devastating.”

Gstaad.Cloud offers an elegant alternative: your data is stored securely, backed up in Switzerland, and never leaves the jurisdiction of Swiss law. Unlike global cloud providers that store data across multiple international locations – making it vulnerable to foreign surveillance or opaque terms of service – Gstaad. Cloud operates entirely within Swiss territory. “The U.S. Cloud Act, for instance, allows American authorities to access data from U.S. companies without a Swiss court order,” explains Schmid. “With us, any access would have to go through the proper Swiss legal channels.”

Two data centers – one in Gstaad
Gstaad.Cloud currently operates two fully owned data centres: one in the Zürich region and one right here in Gstaad. Their precise locations are kept confidential for security reasons, but clients can rest assured that their data isn’t floating in an anonymous server farm halfway around the world.

And in case of trouble? “We can be on-site in minutes,” says Schmid. “You can even walk into our office with your iPad, and we’ll sort it out. That’s something the big providers just don’t offer.”

Future-proof telephony – no hardware required
Beyond secure storage, Gstaad. Cloud’s telephony solution may be one of its most practical offerings, especially for property managers or businesses using outdated systems.

Many in the region still rely on Mitel-Aastra phone systems, which are being phased out entirely by the end of 2027. That means no new updates, no more manufacturer support, and increasing vulnerability to breakdowns with no one to call. Companies and households using these systems will soon need to migrate.

Gstaad.Cloud provides a futureproof alternative: a virtual phone system that runs independently of physical hardware. It operates through the local cloud, eliminating the need for costly infrastructure investments.

Calls can be handled seamlessly and securely from laptops, tablets, or smartphones.

For second-home owners, this means having a Swiss phone number that works wherever you are. It’s an ideal way for small teams to stay connected without the need to install or maintain a traditional office system.

One Swiss roof: storage, email, phone
Rounding out the Gstaad.Cloud service packages include secure email and email archiving, all stored locally in accordance with Swiss law. This integrated approach means you don’t need separate providers for cloud backup, telephony, and secure communication – it’s all under one roof, with one local contact.

And that roof is solar-powered: over 70 % of the energy used by Gstaad. Cloud’s data centres are generated inhouse via solar installations, another point of pride for the team.

Built in Gstaad, born from real needs
The origin story of Gstaad.Cloud reflects its practical ethos. CTO Hanspeter Tinner, an experienced IT strategist with a background in mechanical engineering, originally built the system for Gerax Immobilien, a real estate firm where he worked as a project manager.

“Back then, we were looking for a flexible digital solution to manage files across locations,” says Tinner. The COVID-19 pandemic only accelerated the need for remote access and secure communication. “We quickly realised that our internal system could benefit others, especially homeowners or small companies struggling with their own digital setup.”

Encouraged by Gerax CEO Ben Worbs, the team spun off the platform into a standalone company: Swiss Green Solutions AG, founded in 2023. It now offers Gstaad.Cloud to both private individuals and businesses.

So what’s in it for you?
For many GstaadLife readers, the appeal lies not just in data storage – but in the bigger picture. Are you overseeing your home from abroad? Need your heating, security, and media systems connected? Looking for a Swiss phone line or a secure way to store your family’s digital life without relying on a foreign corporation?

Then Gstaad.Cloud might be worth a closer look.

This isn’t a plug-and-play app store – but it is a rare offering: Swiss, local, personal, and refreshingly private. In an age where digital convenience often comes at the cost of control, Gstaad.Cloud puts security and service first – just the way it should be.

What is a Cloud?
The term cloud may sound airy and abstract, but it simply refers to a network of remote servers that store and manage data via the internet.

Instead of saving files and programs on your own computer or hard drive, you can:
• Store your documents, photos, and videos online
• Access them from anywhere
• Back them up securely, even if your device is lost or
damaged

Large tech companies typically run these cloud servers – but the location of the data matters. For example, using an American provider may mean your data is subject to U.S. law, even if you live in Switzerland.

Why choose a local cloud?
Services like Gstaad.Cloud offers the same modern convenience – but with data stored entirely in Switzerland, under Swiss privacy law. That means greater control, stronger protection, and in this case, local service just minutes away.