Managed SASE · Swiss-Founded · MSP
Open Systems Managed SASE Review
Open Systems is a Zurich, Switzerland-based managed SASE provider founded in 1990, specialising in native, fully managed SASE solutions for global enterprises. Acquired by Swiss Post in September 2024, Open Systems combines SD-WAN, SSE (SWG, ZTNA, CASB, FWaaS), and 24/7 expert-level managed services into a single unified offering. Unlike many managed SASE providers that wrap third-party platforms in a portal, Open Systems integrates best-of-breed components according to strict architectural standards and enhances them with proprietary monitoring, telemetry, and automation layers. The company supports businesses in 180+ countries, holds the Swiss Made Software label, and has an average NPS of 69 with a 4.8/5 rating on Gartner Peer Insights.
Quick Facts — Open Systems
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full company name | Open Systems AG |
| Headquarters | Zurich, Switzerland |
| Founded | 1990 |
| Owner | Swiss Post (acquired September 2024) |
| Primary product | Open Systems SASE Experience (Managed SASE: SD-WAN + SSE) |
| Architecture | Native managed SASE; proprietary integration and automation layer; best-of-breed components |
| Global reach | 180+ countries; customer support from NOC/SOC with Level-3 engineers on front line |
| UK presence | UK deployments supported; Level-3 engineering support 24/7 |
| SASE capability | Full — SD-WAN as a Service + SSE as a Service (SWG, ZTNA, CASB, FWaaS, NDR) fully managed |
| SD-WAN capability | Full — SD-WAN as a Service with global backbone |
| Target market | Large global enterprises, NGOs, manufacturing, financial services, higher education |
| UK channel | Direct enterprise sales; European channel partners |
| Gartner position | Recognised in Gartner Peer Insights for Security Service Edge (4.8/5); IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Managed SD-WAN Services and Worldwide Managed SSE Services — both Major Player (September 2025) |
What Netify Thinks
Open Systems occupies a distinctive position in the managed SASE market: it is one of the very few providers that combines native SASE technology integration with 24/7 Level-3 engineering support as standard — not a tiered add-on. Most SASE vendors offer technology; the managed service layer is typically optional and handled by channel partners of variable quality. Open Systems makes the managed service the product.
Strengths
- Level-3 engineers on the front line: Unlike most managed services providers where first-line support is handled by lower-tier staff, Open Systems routes all support interactions directly to Level-3 engineers. This engineering-to-operations rotation model ensures that frontline support teams maintain direct contact with real-world deployment problems.
- Swiss-founded, Swiss Post-backed: Swiss Post's September 2024 acquisition provides financial stability and a long-term, value-oriented ownership structure. The Swiss Made Software label (achieved November 2025) certifies that significant development and value creation occurs in Switzerland — relevant for European organisations with data sovereignty concerns and a preference for non-US or non-Israeli cybersecurity providers.
- Native SASE — not a multi-vendor wrapper: Open Systems integrates best-of-breed components and open-source technologies according to strict architectural standards, then enhances them with proprietary monitoring, telemetry, and automation layers. This produces a more coherent operational experience than managed SASE offerings that simply portal-wrap separate vendor products.
- NPS of 69, Gartner Peer Insights 4.8/5: Customer satisfaction metrics are among the strongest in the managed SASE space. A 4.8/5 rating on Gartner Peer Insights reflects consistent service delivery quality across a global enterprise customer base.
Weaknesses
- Smaller market profile: Compared to US or Israeli SASE vendors with significant marketing budgets and Gartner MQ positions, Open Systems has lower market visibility in the UK and North America. Procurement teams that use Gartner MQ presence as a primary screening criterion may not initially shortlist Open Systems.
- IDC Major Player, not Leader: Open Systems was classified as a Major Player (not a Leader) in the September 2025 IDC MarketScapes for Worldwide Managed SD-WAN and Managed SSE Services. While positive recognition, this is below the Leader tier held by larger managed service providers.
- Not a hyperscaler-scale provider: Open Systems employs approximately 300 people. While this keeps the organisation focused and service-oriented, it means scale limitations relative to NTT DATA, AT&T, or Lumen for very large, complex global enterprise deployments.
Verdict: Open Systems is best suited to global enterprises — particularly in manufacturing, financial services, NGOs, and higher education — that want a fully managed, natively integrated SASE service with 24/7 Level-3 engineering support and a European provider that aligns with GDPR, NIS2, and DORA regulatory frameworks. It is particularly relevant for organisations that are reconsidering US or Israeli vendor dependencies.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Level-3 engineers on the front line — not tiered call centre support
- NPS of 69 and 4.8/5 on Gartner Peer Insights — consistent, high customer satisfaction
- Swiss Made Software label — certified Swiss engineering and development
- Swiss Post ownership — long-term, value-oriented, financially stable
- Native SASE architecture — integrated components with proprietary telemetry and automation
- Full SSE: SWG, ZTNA, CASB, FWaaS, NDR all managed
- 35 years of secure connectivity expertise (founded 1990)
Cons
- Smaller market profile than US or Israeli SASE vendors — lower UK/NA brand visibility
- IDC Major Player, not Leader tier in September 2025 MarketScapes
- Approximately 300 employees — scale limitations for very large global deployments
- Not in Gartner SASE Platforms MQ as a named vendor position
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Open Systems?
Open Systems is a Zurich, Switzerland-based managed SASE provider founded in 1990, specialising in fully managed, natively integrated SASE solutions combining SD-WAN and Security Service Edge (SSE — SWG, ZTNA, CASB, FWaaS) for global enterprises. Acquired by Swiss Post in September 2024, Open Systems operates in 180+ countries with 24/7 Level-3 engineering support as standard. The company split its MDR business into Ontinue in 2023, focusing exclusively on SASE. It was awarded the Swiss Made Software label in November 2025.
How does Open Systems differ from other managed SASE providers?
The fundamental difference is the service model. Most managed SASE offerings are either technology products (you buy the platform and manage it yourself) or wrapped managed services where a reseller or MSP wraps a vendor platform in a portal. Open Systems integrates best-of-breed components according to its own architectural standards, adds proprietary monitoring and automation layers, and provides 24/7 Level-3 engineering support as the default service delivery model — not an optional premium tier. This produces both a more coherent platform and a meaningfully different support experience than most alternatives.
Is Open Systems suitable for UK deployments?
Yes. Open Systems supports UK enterprises through its direct sales team and European partner network. The combination of Swiss Made Software certification and Swiss Post ownership is increasingly relevant for UK organisations with EU regulatory exposure under GDPR, NIS2, and DORA, and for those reconsidering US or Israeli vendor dependencies in their security stack. Level-3 engineering support is available 24/7 regardless of customer location. UK organisations should request a formal proposal from Open Systems' European enterprise team.
What does the Swiss Post acquisition mean for Open Systems customers?
Swiss Post's acquisition in September 2024 provides Open Systems with long-term, value-oriented ownership from a conglomerate with no aggressive short-term financial objectives. New CEO Dennis Monner (effective October 2025, formerly Aryaka's Chief Commercial Officer) is focused on growing Open Systems' presence in North America while maintaining its European base and engineering culture. For existing and prospective customers, the acquisition provides financial stability and a credible long-term commitment to the product and service, replacing the previous private equity (EQT) ownership.
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