In short
- Shared cloud works for the majority of companies: simple, fast, affordable
- Isolated cloud (dedicated infrastructure) is for organizations that handle sensitive data and want total separation
- Local installation (on your own servers) is reserved for organizations that require no data to ever transit through the cloud
- The right choice depends on the sensitivity of your documents, not the size of your company
When it comes to document management, the question of hosting always comes up. Where are our files stored? Who can access them? What happens if the provider is subject to foreign legislation?
With most tools on the market, there’s no choice. It’s American cloud, period. Your documents are on Google, Microsoft or Amazon servers, subject to the Cloud Act. We explain the implications in detail in this article.
At Archesia, we made a different choice: offering three hosting modes, because not all companies have the same constraints.
Why the question matters
A communications agency that centralizes briefs and presentations doesn’t have the same requirements as a law firm managing cases covered by attorney-client privilege. An SMB that stores supplier contracts doesn’t have the same constraints as an audit firm handling confidential financial data.
Yet most document management tools impose a single hosting mode. Take it or leave it.
The result: either the company accepts a security level that doesn’t match its obligations, or it gives up on using a modern tool and keeps managing files in shared folders.
There’s a third way: adapting the hosting to the actual sensitivity level of your documents.
Shared cloud: simple, fast, effective
This is the most common mode, the one that works for the majority of companies. Your data is hosted on a shared infrastructure, secured and managed by the provider.
How it works
At Archesia, shared cloud is hosted in France. Each client has their own space, strictly segmented. No one can access another client’s data. You choose the AI model that suits you: Mistral (French), or another model based on your preferences.
The advantages
- Up and running quickly, configured for you by Archesia
- No infrastructure to manage on your end
- Pricing tailored to your team size and needs
- Updates and maintenance handled by Archesia
Who it’s for
Communications agencies, service-sector SMBs, consulting firms that want a high-performance tool without an IT project. This is the mode chosen by the vast majority of our clients.
Isolated cloud: when confidentiality demands it
Some organizations handle data where confidentiality is critical. Professional privilege, embargoed financial data, strategic information. For them, knowing that the infrastructure is “shared” (even if it’s segmented) isn’t enough.
How it works
Your company gets its own dedicated cloud infrastructure, still hosted in France, but completely isolated from other clients. Your own storage space, your own compute servers. And exclusively French AI models: no data ever transits through foreign servers.
The advantages
- Complete data isolation
- 100% sovereign: hosting and AI in France
- Dedicated infrastructure, sized to your needs
- Compliant with the strictest confidentiality requirements
Who it’s for
Regulated professions (lawyers, notaries, chartered accountants), audit firms, companies handling sensitive or strategic data. This mode is tailored to each organization.
Local installation: total control
For organizations that require no data to ever leave their premises, there’s one remaining option: installing Archesia directly on your own servers.
How it works
Archesia is deployed within your internal technical infrastructure. Your documents, your AI models, your processing: everything runs on-site. No data ever transits through the cloud. Updates are deployed remotely, with no on-site intervention needed.
The advantages
- Zero data in the cloud
- Total control over the infrastructure
- Compatible with the most restrictive security policies
What it involves
This mode requires powerful internal servers and someone capable of managing them. It’s a larger investment, reserved for organizations that have both the means and the genuine need.
Who it’s for
Large firms, companies subject to strict sector-specific regulations, organizations whose internal policies prohibit any external storage.
How to choose
The right hosting mode comes down to one question: what is the sensitivity level of your documents?
- Your documents are professional but not critical (briefs, presentations, meeting notes, business proposals): shared cloud is sufficient. It’s fast, affordable, and hosted in France.
- Your documents are subject to heightened confidentiality obligations (professional privilege, sensitive financial data, audits): isolated cloud guarantees complete separation.
- No data may leave your infrastructure (internal policy, sector-specific regulations): local installation is the only option.
Our recommendation Don’t over-engineer. Shared cloud hosted in France, with strict segmentation between clients, meets the needs of the vast majority of companies. Isolated cloud and local installation exist for cases where it’s genuinely necessary, not as a sales pitch.
To compare the document management solutions available, check out our comparison of approaches. And if you’re unsure which hosting mode to pick, let’s talk.
Frequently asked questions
Is shared cloud really secure?
Yes. Segmentation between clients is strict: each company can only access its own data. It's the same principle used by online banks or cloud-hosted healthcare services. The infrastructure is hosted in France and is
Can I switch from one mode to another?
Yes. If your needs evolve (for example, you move from standard operations to engagements covered by professional privilege), you can migrate to a more secure mode. Migration isn't automatic: contact us so we can organize the transition together.
Is isolated cloud much more expensive?
Isolated cloud involves dedicated infrastructure, so it costs more than shared cloud. Pricing is tailored to each organization based on its needs. Contact us to discuss.
What happens if I choose an American AI model on shared cloud?
That's your choice. On shared cloud, you can opt for a French model (Mistral) or another model based on your needs. If you choose an American model, your queries transit through that provider's servers. On isolated cloud, only French models are available to guarantee complete sovereignty.
Does local installation require a big investment?
Yes. This mode requires powerful servers (especially to run the AI models) and someone in-house to manage them. It's an investment that's justified for organizations that are required to do so, not an option to choose "just in case."