Business showdown: cloud service vs. on-premise solutions
6th March 2024 | Modified: 11th March 2024Categories: Cloud
“They could have never imagined that the title of their song would have such relevance today.”
In the late autumn of 1965, the Rolling Stones released ‘Get Off Of My Cloud’. It’s one of the band’s signature tunes, reaching the number-one spot in the UK, the US, Canada and Germany. They could have never imagined that the title of their song would have such relevance today.
Get off of my cloud!
The adoption of cloud computing has been a prevalent trend in the business world in recent years. Companies have flocked to it, replacing legacy, on-premise technologies, and loading up their files onto acres of racks. Sold on the promise of scalability, flexibility and cost efficiency, cloud has been heralded as the only way to go for maximum business success.
When you’re trying to batten down costs internally and increase your business agility, with end-of-life timelines fast coming up in your windscreen, and all the time trying to leverage new technologies to maintain your competitive advantage in your sector, the cloud can seem like the answer, or, is it?
Not every business can benefit from being ‘in the cloud’. Poor expectations, badly executed implementations and lack of real value have seen companies turn their back on the promise of cloud and go back to using an on-premises solution.
So, what are the faults with the cloud, and why does it not work for everyone? How do I know if it’s right for my business?
A recent phenomenon that’s come to light in recent months is cloud repatriation"
Costly clouds
The cloud lets you use computers and resources over the internet without buying them. This can save you money, but it can also cost more if you are not careful. Here are some things that affect the cost of the cloud:
- The cloud charges you for what you use. This is good if you need more or less at different times, but it can be bad if you use too much or forget to turn things off.
- The cloud lets you choose how much power and space you need. If you choose too much, you waste money. If you choose too little, you have problems and need to pay more to fix them.
- The cloud charges you for moving your data around. If you send a lot of data to far places, you pay more. You should try to send less data and keep it close to you.
- Different kinds of storage have different prices. You should use the cheapest kind that works for you and delete what you don’t need.
- The cloud offers many other services that can help you do things better, but they also cost money. You should only use what you really need and check how much they cost.
- You can pay in different ways. You can pay as you go or pay in advance. The best way depends on how you use the cloud. You should compare the options and choose the best one for you.
The cloud can be cheap or expensive depending on how you use it. At the heart of its use is planning, you need to plan well, use it wisely, and keep a check on it, so that you keep your costs low. Depending on your workflow, an on-premises infrastructure over an extended period could make budgeting and cost control easier, or harder, for some business models
You should compare the options and choose the best one for you"
Security issues
Sectors like finance and healthcare, have to work within some of the most stringent regulatory requirements regarding data protection and privacy. Whilst, cloud service providers invest heavily in cyber security, it can be challenging within a public environment.
Government, military, and research institutions prefer on-premise solutions, as they reduce concerns about data breaches, and unauthorised access, keeping your information closer, might make you feel you have more control over security protocols.
A custom solution for the odd job
Some businesses rely on highly customised or specialised software applications that may not integrate easily with cloud platforms. Having your own server means you can have it your own way. The cost and complexity of adapting your software to work within a cloud environment may make running it prohibitively expensive.
Performance and speed is everything
For companies that deal in real-time applications, speed can be everything. Latency then becomes a critical factor. Cloud services, whilst generally robust, may introduce a lag when delivering information, which for some companies is not acceptable.
Industries like online gaming, financial trading, or scientific research that rely on high-speed processing of information, may find that cloud computing doesn’t meet their performance requirements.
Relying on the internet
Cloud computing relies on internet connectivity to deliver business files, and for some, that’s just a bridge too far. If your internet goes down, then it’s safe to say that your business is down. Downtime or interruptions in connectivity do not make a good business.
An on-premise-server solution absolutely ensures greater control over accessibility and control over your data, reducing your reliance on external providers.
Transitioning to the cloud
It is not for the faint-hearted. Migrating to the cloud involves a significant amount of effort, data migration, system integration and employee training. For businesses with limited resources, or a business that is resistant to change, the process can be like pushing a huge rock up a hill, it can be disruptive, complex and time-consuming.
The challenges of transitioning can far outweigh the benefits"
Conclusion
For some businesses, it has changed their world for the better, and those would say they would never go back. However, cloud computing is not a universally suitable solution for every business.
Security issues, data security, customisation, connectivity issues, performance and cost; the challenges of transitioning can far outweigh the benefits. The key lies in carefully evaluating the specific needs and characteristics of your business, and then, and only then, the Rolling Stones after all these years, may just be right.
It is therefore vital that you choose the right partner to work with and CNC with Fluid One’s connected cloud vision, aligns perfectly with this. Our expertise to provide the right solution per client, putting the appropriate workloads securely in the cloud, while balancing private cloud or on premise where financially or application specific, helps you leverage the most appropriate technology for you.
To find out more contact the team at: sales@cnc-ltd.co.uk or call us on 01273 384100.
